By Any Means

by The Revolutionary Ronin

Long ago there existed a guild that fought outside the law in order to preserve it. This guild produced numerous legends that became infamous. They dirtied their hands in blood to protect the peace of Fiore. This guild was known as Shadow Heart, a dark guild. Broken and scattered they will continue to protect Fiore by any means...

23. Arc 2: All Roads Lead To Rome Pt 6

Disclaimer - I do not own Naruto or Fairy Tail

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By Any Means

Chapter 16

All Roads Lead to Rome Pt 6

Opening - No Pain, No Game by Nano

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Middle Levels 0o0o0

"Welcome, everyone, to the Tower of Heaven. I am Jellal, the ruler of this tower."

The group of Fairy Tail mages, Simon, and Sho paused, surprised by the sudden voice.

"All of the pieces have finally come into place." Jellal paused for a moment. "Moments ago the mage known as Salamander defeated Millianna and Wally. Now the true game can begin. Heaven's Game!"

"The rules are simple. I plan to use Erza Scarlet as the living sacrifice to resurrect the Great Wizard Zeref. In other words, if the door to heaven opens, I win. If you can prevent me from doing that, you win. However, that alone would be boring. So I have assembled four warriors to stand in your way. If you cannot overcome them, you will never reach me."

"...Jellal!" Sho ground out, eyes wild.

"Four warriors?" Simon was confused. Jellal had never mentioned a fourth warrior sent alongside Trinity Raven. There was that other group that he knew of, but they had engaged Hatake Sasuke and that Naruto person down on the docks. Could he be referring to them or someone else?

Suddenly, a loud roaring noise tore through the tower, followed by massive quakes, throwing everyone from their feet.

"W-what's going on?!" Lucy cried, trying to brace herself against the wall.

"It's the end of the world! Juvia needs to consummate her relationship with Gray-sama before she dies!" Juvia panted, blushing madly as she looked toward Gray.

"Stay away from me!" Fullbuster replied, crab walking back away from her.

"This energy...it seems so familiar…" Erza thought, the only one to regain her feet during the madness.

As sudden as the shaking started, it stopped, leaving the group looking around warily.

"Ah, yes, I was warned about you." Jellal's voice rang throughout the tower again."The rogue assassin. That was quite the impressive display but you will need much more than that to bring this tower down."

"Assassin?" Lucy whispered in fear, "An assassin did that?"

"But… who the hell in our group is an assassin?" Gray pondered, "Or is it someone else."

"Could it possibly be that man from when Phantom attacked? Is he the one that informed Naruto and Sasuke how to get here?"Erza vaguely recalled the hooded man who had aided her before.

"It's possible an assassin was sent to deal with Jellal. But by-" Simon was cut off as Jellal spoke again.

"In fact, the Magic Council is debating on such a method as we speak. Yes, if it's voted for they would destroy this entire island with the weapon that returns everything into nothingness, Etherion. No one knows how long we have left. But when Etherion fires, nothing will remain. No one will be left and the game will be over with no victor. Now… let's have fun."

"What are they thinking?" Lucy asked as she trembled at the dire situation they were all now in.

"Etherion? The Council would actually use that? It's not possible!" Erza looked in shock, not believing that the Council would fire such a powerful weapon, and let alone Jellal letting them if he knew about it.

"No! I won't let anything happen to Sis!" Sho reached out and cast his Card magic on Erza, entrapping her in a card.

"Erza!" Gray shouted as he and everyone else turned in horror as Erza pounded on the card, trying to break free.

"Sho! What are you doing!?" Simon screamed at the younger man.

"I'm going to defeat Jellal myself! No one will ever harm Sis again!" Sho then turned and ran from the group.

"Stop! You can't do it yourself!" Simon ran after him, leaving the group of Fairies on their own.

0o0o0 Magic Council - Era 0o0o0

"It's 4 against 4. Org this horrific mistake can be avoided if you just simply listen to reason! If we fire Etheri-"

"We'll be ensuring the safety of not just this country but every country in Ishgar if not the world!" Siegrain cut Tsunade off, one more pulling all eyes to him.

"Siegrain! Just what are you trying to pull? What have you been hiding?" Tsunade accused.

"I didn't want to reveal this, but I'm afraid council woman Tsunade has left me with no choice." Siegrain sighed, taking a moment to compose himself. "The wizard my brother is trying to revive with the Tower of Heaven is none other than the Dark Wizard Zeref."

Silence reigned in the council chamber is the severity of the situation finally revealed itself.

"Now Org," Siegrain broke the silence pushing for a final verdict, "The decision lies with you. Will you allow this world to be consumed by darkness itself or will you do what's right and protect this world?"

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Top Level 0o0o0

Jellal reclined in his throne, glancing at the various lacrima arranged around him. Each showed a different scene from somewhere in the tower. Focusing on the first, he saw the two interlopers who had defeated Sasori making their way up quickly... a little too quickly to suit his tastes. A brief touch at a command console caused a muted rumbling, several passageways reshaping.

"There, that should delay them long enough," he murmured, a pleased smile on his face. "Let's see how the rest of the pawns are doing."

Jellal moved on to another lacrima, this one showing Simon and Salamander being accosted by Fukuro. Despite his strange looks, the largest member of Trinity Raven was quite powerful. Seeing that he was holding off Natsu in hand to hand combat, Jellal nodded, pleased. The owl-man had quite the interesting magic as well, Capture he believed it was called. The blue haired man chuckled as Fukuro began to swallow Natsu. It seemed that his magic was quite literal.

Glancing to a third lacrima, it seemed that Vidaldus was holding back a blond and the former Phantom Lord member. It seemed that her Water magic wasn't particularly effective though, as it was constantly absorbed by the rocker's hair. The fight became even more one-sided when the Trinity Raven mage managed to ensnare the water user in his other magic, Rock of Succubus. He was a little disappointed that the blond Fairy Tail mage was so weak for one who was with Salamander and Erza.

Shaking his head, he looked to the fourth and final lacrima, showing Sho running through the hallways of the tower. Who would have guessed that he'd come running straight to the finish line with the prize in hand? Tapping the armrest of his seat, Jellal pondered what to do. He didn't want the game ending so soon after all. After a few seconds, he tapped out another command on the console, causing the pathways ahead of Sho to change. "There, that should make for a much more interesting show," he thought.

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Middle Levels Some Time Later 0o0o0

"You're sure this is the way?" Sasuke asked the blond annoyed. It had felt like they'd been traversing down the same pathways for hours.

"Yeah, the magical energy spike I felt a bit ago is just up ahead." Naruto let out a light pant as he rushed forward.

Seeing a light ahead the shinobi and mage quickened their pace and broke out of the dark hallway they'd been traveling down and into a huge atrium with 10 tunnels leading out into a dark unknown. In the center of it all was Lucy, Juvia, and a bald, white-skinned man. All three were in rough shape and looked like they were unable to stand even if they wanted to.

"Lucy!" Both men rushed to the two downed girls.

Lucy tilted her head and felt tears begin to swell as she saw Naruto and Sasuke running towards her and Juvia. "Naruto. Sasuke. I thought… I thought we were going to die here."

Sasuke reached her first and he knelt as he began to check her vital signs, as Sakura had taught him for when she couldn't in cases of emergency. "Don't move too much. It wouldn't do for you to die now." Sensing her rise in panic, he gave her a light chuckle and a smirk. Seeing her give him a confused look he explained. "Sorry. That's what Sakura tells me every time I over do it. "Don't move too much. It wouldn't do for you to die now." She's said that to me so many times I practically dream of her saying it. You're going to be fine. You just spent more of your magic then you should've. I bet the same is for her." Sasuke gave a nod toward Juvia and Naruto, who was tending to the water mage.

Lucy tilted her head back toward Naruto and Juvia and smiled seeing the water mage barely managing to keep her eyes open but open nonetheless. When she saw Lucy smile she gave the brightest smile she could manage. It was small, and barely any strength behind, but to Lucy it was the brightest smile she'd ever seen.

"Oi! Don't look at her, I still need to check some things! Sasuke tell your patient to not look at mine, I'm not done checking her vitals. The whole water woman thing is messing with my ability to make sure she's not internally bleeding." Lucy laughed at the sight of Naruto trying to help Juvia. Already he'd wrapped most of her body in bandaging and had even managed to get himself wrapped up.

"Juvia… only wants… Gray-sama… to nurse her!" Juvia cried, unhappy with her current situation.

"Jeez, if you can't help then don't, usuratonkachi!" Sasuke grumbled but mostly barked at the blond.

Naruto suddenly tensed as he whipped around back toward the entrance, Re-quiping a sword to his hand. "Protect the girls," was all he said as he fell into a stance.

"Hn." Sasuke stood, drawing his katana and stood at the ready to defend the downed women.

"Nya! Wally there's two people I've never see-" Milliana stopped dead in her tracks as she caught sight of Naruto.

The tension rose throughout the atrium. No one made a move as Wally stopped just behind Millianna and grew worried at the sight of Naruto and Sasuke. "These must be the other two Simon told us ab~out. Do they know we're not enem~ies? This is bad, I used most of my magic against Salamand~er. I must make this a… Dandy situation."

She couldn't believe her eyes. Sky-blue irises. Sun kissed hair. And six whisker-like marks on either side of his face. "Oh! Neko-Neko!"

"Heh?" Was the universal response from everyone in the room as Millianna glomped Naruto.

"Neko! Wally it's a real Neko!" she cried as Naruto tried to put the girl at arms length.

"I am not a cat! I don't even like cats!" Naruto cried out.

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Upper Levels 0o0o0

Panting, Erza stood up, the ruins of her Purgatory Armor littering the ground around her. Glaring at her pink-haired opponent, she took a deep breath before activating her Re-quip once more. As the light faded, it revealed her in a simple pair of flame patterned pants and white chest wrappings, wielding two katanas.

Ikaruga's eyes narrowed. "What is the meaning of this? I can feel no magic whatsoever from that outfit you wear."

"It's just fabric. That's all," the redhead calmly replied.

Sho stared incredulously from where he was sprawled on the ground. "Just fabric…?!"

A vein throbbed in Ikaruga's temple. "And after I went to such pains to show you the extent of my skill…" Her hand clenched tightly around the hilt of her sword. "It seems that I am being underestimated."

"Sis, what's wrong?!" Sho cried out, unable to believe what he was hearing. "You have tons of strong armors left, don't you?! You're stronger than this, aren't you?!"

Erza's face was shadowed by her bangs as she answered.

"No. I am not strong."

Her mind flashed back, reflecting on the past. To her first imprisonment, and the fellow children she was with. To Rob, the man who saved her and set her on the path to Fairy Tail. To when she first joined the guild, and tried to keep everyone at arm's length.

"So many of my friends died. I failed to protect those who mattered to me. I forced myself to maintain the image of strength, even as I cried inside. I locked my heart up in a suit of armor...and cried."

The redhead slowly set herself into a stance and fixed her gaze on her opponent. "It is because I am weak that I always hide behind a suit of armor. I could never take it off."

The pinkette assassin also took up a stance and gave Erza a final warning. "Even if my opponent is naked… I will still slice her."

Grip tightening on her swords, Erza continued. "I always believed that the armor would keep me safe… But that wasn't right." She shook her head slightly. "That chink between people's hearts that allows them to connect… I was just blocking that up."

"But Fairy Tail taught me the truth. That it's so much better to be close to people, to feel their warmth."

Having had enough of the redhead's prattling, Ikaruga's stance lowered even more, before she took off at Erza. "Prepare yourself!"

"I no longer have any doubts! I will change my very being to strength… and defeat you!" Erza yelled as she charged forward to meet the assassin.

Sho could only look on in shock as the two raced for the final clash.

"This is the end!" Ikaruga yelled, her sword flashing forward as Erza's did the same.

It was over in instant, with the two having traded places. All was silent for a moment, before Erza cried out as a cut appeared on her right shoulder, blood flowing freely.

"Sis!"

Ikaruga smirked, before turning to look at Erza. "And thus, you lo-!"

Her posturing was cut off as blood fountained from the cut across her torso. "Im-impossible!" she coughed out, blood leaking from her mouth as she collapsed.

"All right! I knew you could do it sis!" Sho congratulated as he staggered to his feet. "You really are incredible."

Erza just stood there, panting. She finally moved, turning to face Ikaruga as the woman forced herself to speak.

"That was… impressive. I have… never once… been defeated." She paused, coughing up more blood. "Not once… since the guild was founded… until this day."

A pained smirk graced her face. "However… both you and Jellal are destined for defeat." She chuckled painfully at the surprise on Erza and Sho's faces. "30 minutes… ~See it plummet down… ~Shining light of justice bright… ~Bringing death to all… Ah, what a ghastly poem…" With that, her eyes shut and consciousness faded.

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Middle Levels 0o0o0

"I see." Naruto stared off in a direction as Wally and Millianna finished explaining all that had happened over the past 8 plus years after swearing they were not enemies anymore and Lucy confirming it. "And this place… is called heaven?" Naruto gritted his teeth. "This is where she was a slave. And this Jellal… he rebuilt it. He rebuilt her hell."

"That is what Jell~al calls it. A Tower of Heaven that would lead us to true freedom in heaven and become the rulers of Earthl~and. But it was all a lie." Wally lowered his head as he thought over all the time he'd wasted in building the tower. The time he'd allowed Sho and Millianna to waste in this god-forsaken tower instead of living their lives like he'd never been able to. He wasn't a Dandy man. He wasn't even a man.

"Hn. So this is why she was like that huh?" Sasuke said as he thought back to when Erza first joined the guild. She was cold and distant. Never talking to anyone and always by herself. Anyone's attempts to get to know her was always met with a cold stare. Cana and Tenten had told Gray to get to know her and when he did and simply got rejected he resorted to violence after she pointed out his inability to keep his clothes on. Then one day, they were just friends. And Erza became the disciplinarian they all needed, despite her own destructive tendencies. She clawed and battled her way to the top and became Fairy Tail's strongest woman. She fought for them. Bled for them. Cried for them. Laughed with them. Like hell he was going to let her die here, in her own personal hell. "Usuratonkachi-"

"Yeah, we're getting her out of here teme," Naruto said, still looking in the same direction he had been for the last 10 minutes. "You two get Lucy and Juvia out of here." Feeling he'd said all he needed he headed toward one of the tunnels and started to climb in.

"Where's Neko going!?" Milliana cried, having to be restrained by Wally so that she didn't follow after the blond.

"Hn. Just make sure these two get out of here," Sasuke said as he headed toward a tunnel of his own and disappeared down it's dark corridor.

"C~ome on Millianna. Let's get these girls to s~afety!" Wally said giving a thumbs up to the cat girl as he picked up Juvia over his shoulder while Milliana used her Binding magic to drag Lucy behind her.

"She knows we're on the same side! She's doing it on purpose!" Lucy cried, too weak to voice her complaint.

0o0o0 Magic Council - Etherion Firing Command 0o0o0

"Preparations are well underway Org-sama," a magic frog informed the council member who was taking personal responsibility for firing the Etherion, "It should be ready in 20 minutes."

Org waved the frog off as he stood above the scrambling assistants and magical beings. "And to think this is happening when the Chairman is in ill health." Org sighed as he allowed the stress to get to him.

"Don't worry so Org. Although we're attacking without following proper international procedure, Clause 4 of Article 27 of the National Security Directive does apply here," Michello said not relieving any of Orgs worries.

"It's not the law I'm concerned about. We're about to unleash the Etherion. It's akin to unleashing a demon."

"Zeref is the demon. We can only pray the Etherion will act as an angel and strike him down."

0o0o0 Magic Council - Library 0o0o0

"Come in." Siegrain and Ultear halted their conversation and looked toward the entrance as Tsunade and Yajima walked in.

"Pardon our intrusion," Yajima politely said as he and Tsunade made their way to the back of the Library to look out the window to view the transforming castle as it readied to fire the Etherion.

"Yajima, Tsunade." Siegrain stood from his chair and turned to face them.

"Is this really wise, Sieg?" Yajima asked throwing an eye back toward the blue-haired young man. "Surely there are other options on the table to consider?"

"I have. I know it is difficult to understand," Tsunade scoffed at this, but otherwise remained silent letting Siegrain continue, "but this is the best course of action. We must not let Jellal revive Zeref."

"And just how is it that you know so much about what your brother is trying to accomplish Siegrain? Why were you so insistent on firing the Etherion?" Tsunade asked giving the young man a squinted gaze.

"Because I do not wish to send our troops to their deaths if I can avoid it, councilwoman. If firing the Etherion will save our men from having to face the monster that is my brother I will gladly bear the responsibility!"

"And what responsibility is that? Are you truly prepared for what firing the Etherion means? There are slaves on that damnable island! Are you prepared to take the responsibility of holding their lives in your hands? Not to mention taking the life of your twin brother!" Tsunade yelled. "I know he is not the person you grew up with, but he is still your brother. Are you truly sure you can bear that pain?"

Looking her dead in the eyes, Siegrain answered, "I will. I'll bear Jellal's life and all those on the island on my shoulders."

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Upper Levels 0o0o0

Natsu groaned as he was woke to the bouncing up and down as Simon carried him up the stairs of the tower. "Wha?"

"You awake Natsu?" Simon asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"Last thing I remember, a weird vehicle caught me and… gwah!" Natsu was barely able to manage keeping the vomit down as he remembered his time on Fukuro's jetpack.

"Don't vomit from the memory!" Simon yelled as he practically threw Natsu off his back, yet still helping him down to let the younger man heave his stomach. "Fukuro ate you in order to absorb you magic as his own. Gray arrived after that and saved you."

"Gray did!?" Natsu complained, not happy that his rival had to save him.

"Gray suffered a lot of damage to do so. He's making his way back down the tower to meet up with the others that are evacuating. The blue cat is helping him."

"AARGH! I can't believe this! I lost to that owl freak but Gray won!?"

"You didn't actually "lose," you were swallowed." Simon noted but was ignored by Natsu.

"That ice-pervert will hold it over me for a whole month! He's that petty! Dammit!" Jumping to his feet, Natsu flared his flames. "I can't accept this! I need a rematch! I gotta fight that birdbrain again-Gah!" Natsu was cut off as Simon grabbed his scarf and dragged him up the stairs.

"We don't have time for this!" Simon griped.

"Say who are you, anyway?" Natsu asked crossing his arms, realizing he didn't know who he was with.

Simon, sighed, not believing the fabled Salamander was this oblivious. "I'm one of Erza's old friends."

"Oh, ok, nice to meetcha!" Natsu greeted as Simon suddenly crouched over, nursing the spot where Fukuro had laid into him. "Are you ok?"

"N-nevermind me… Listen closely… Natsu, I just got word from Wally that he and Milliana just met up with Gray and are leaving with Lucy and Juvia. He also… says that your… two other friends are still traversing up the tower. They split up awhile ago, so there's no telling where they are now. And from what Sho has told me, all of the members of Trinity Raven have been defeated. He is also on his way out of the tower."

"That means I didn't get to do anything!"

"I believe your two friends that were at the bottom of the tower defeated Jellal's fourth champion. That leaves only Jellal now. Erza is on her way to him as we speak."

"Erza is?"

"She intends on settling everything by herself. Those two have a quarrel to resolve that spans over the last eight years. It might be their destiny to fight each other. But Jellal is too powerful. Please help Erza."

"No," Natsu blatantly said with a deadpan stare.

"What!? Why not!?" Simon couldn't believe this as he stared in shock at the pink-haired dragonslayer before he rushed the younger mage and slammed him into the side of the tower, "Damn you! You refuse to help her, your own friend!?"

"He's Erza's enemy; she can handle him on her own. I have no right to butt in," Natsu said calmly.

Simon let him go and turned toward the ocean. "No… Erza can't defeat Jellal!"

"Huh!?" Natsu snarled. "Don't you dare insult Erza!"

"You have it all wrong! I'm not talking about strength and magic here!"

"Then what are you talking about?"

"Erza is still trying to save Jellal. I know she is… because she isn't able to hate him." Simon paused as his heart tore in two. "Jellal is a cunning man. He won't hesitate to use Erza's feelings to his advantage. That's not the half of it though. As you know, the council is preparing to strike this location with an Etherion blast. If that happens, everyone in the tower will be wiped out. According to Sho we have about 10 minutes left," Natsu's eyes widened at that. "Erza told Sho to get everyone away and then forged ahead on her own. You know Erza very well." As he continued speaking Simon turned to look up towards the top of the tower where Erza was most likely facing Jellal now. "I don't want to believe it but Erza might be planning to use the Etherion blast to take Jellal down, sacrificing herself to save everyone else."

"Why didn't you say so sooner!?" Natsu growled, once more flaring his flames. "Where is Erza!?"

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Upper Levels 0o0o0

Sharp pain brought Ikaruga back to consciousness.

"Guh… I'm alive?"

"Hey, you're welcome. No thanks necessary," a sarcastic voice said, causing the defeated mage to focus her blurry eyes at the figure she just now noticed leaning over her.

"You…" she trailed off, seeing the green glow surrounding his hands and the warm, soothing sensation taking the place of pain. Straining her injured body, Ikaruga knocked the figure's hands away and staggered to her feet, attempting to guard herself. "Who are you?" she managed, before being wracked by coughs.

"Well now, that wasn't very nice assassin-chan," the hooded figure said, standing up and facing her. "I wasn't done healing you, ya know. Don't blame me if you're wound reopens."

"Stop joking around…" the pinkette mage panted out. "How can you use chakra?"

The figure cocked its head, before he slowly reached up and threw back the hood, revealing blond hair and blue eyes. "Because I'm a shinobi, duh," Naruto said. "And besides, I should be asking you that. Not only do you have a developed chakra system, those sword techniques looked somewhat familiar…"

"S-shinobi?" Ikaruga was stunned at his blatant admission.

Seeing her staring in shock, Naruto decided to test a theory. "Report!" he barked out suddenly, snapping the pinkette out of her trance.

Straightening as best she could, the dazed dark mage reflexively responded. "ID number 373024, Genin Ikaruga-!" Her mouth snapped shut, realizing what she'd done.

Naruto was just as shocked as she had previously been. "...A Kumo ID? Well, this is an interesting turn of events…"

"Bastard!" Ikaruga yelled, hunching down further. He'd played her. Well, she wouldn't give him anything else, even if-

"I'll leave this for later, I have more important things to deal with right now," the blond said from directly behind the mage. She tried to turn, but he quickly knocked her out with a chop to the neck. As she fell, a shadow clone poofed into existence and caught her, turning and running for the exit.

The real Naruto swayed for a second as the toll of yet another high level technique dropped his reserves even lower. He closed his eyes to focus himself, before looking up, trying to pierce the layers of the tower with his gaze. "Erza, just hold on. I'm on my way…"

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Top Level 0o0o0

"My, oh, my. The game is over already?" Jellal asked as he stood up from his throne moving a knight chess piece toward the king as he did so.

Erza calmly walked into the throne room, haunting memories jumping to the forefront of her mind from the last time she'd been here. "That time is in the past. Today it all ends." She furrowed her brow as she got close to Jellal. "Is toying with people's lives that much fun?"

"Most certainly. It is around the brink of life and death that all emotions revolve." Jellal began to pace around the enormous throne room. "Conversely, there is nothing as dreary and barren as simply living. It's been a long time, Erza." He stopped and turned toward her.

"Jellal…" Erza said his name like poison on her tongue and sent an icy glare toward the man. "I've freed your former allies. They'll no longer be your slaves."

"Fine by me. I've no more need for them. The Tower of Heaven is complete."

"Yet you don't care that it'll be destroyed in less than 10 minutes?" Erza raised her sword pointing it out him accusingly.

"Oh, you mean the Etherion attack?" Jellal chuckled.

"You're too confident… so it was just a bluff." Erza reasoned, believing she'd caught Jellal's lie.

"Bluff? No, the Etherion will rain down upon us. There is no stopping it now."

"That puts my mind at ease." Erza raised her blade and fell into a fighting stance, ready to strike. "If I simply keep you busy here, then everything will be settled."

"No. You, Erza, will serve as a sacrifice to Zeref and cease to be." A dark energy began to swell around Jellal. "It is already set in stone! It is your fate, your destiny! In five minutes Etherion will fire down on us. Let us enjoy the remaining time together, Erza." A dark energy ball began to form in Jellal's hand and expanded outward.

"I no longer fear anything! If the Etherion hits, then so be it! Taking you down with me is what I want!"

"Oh, so you want to die with me? What about that blond mage you've grown so close too over the last few months? How would he feel knowing you want to be with me so badly?" Jellal taunted as he launched his attack. The dark energy splitting into hundreds of tendrils.

"Don't bring him into this! This is between you and me!" In a flash of movement, Erza cut them all apart and was upon Jellal in moments, who deftly stopped her advance catching the hilt of her blade, preventing her from completing her swing. Not losing a beat he fired a magic beam at her blasting her through the floor and out into free fall.

As she fell, Erza saw a large enough piece of debris to land on and use to launch herself back into the tower. Flying back up through the hole, she launched a flurry of swings at the man she once cared deeply for whilst also dodging his magical attacks. "Destroying the tower you worked so hard to build with your own hands, what a waste Jellal!"

Unable to avoid the coming hit fully, Jellal was knocked back, having to correct himself mid air and landed with a smirk. "A pillar or two is nothing. They're mere decorations."

"Mere decorations?" Erza asked darkly. "The only reason those "decorations" are there is because Sho and the others believed in you for eight long years!"

"Don't start nitpicking everything I say," Jellal said almost playfully. "The R-System is what matters. It's what those eight years were for. And now it is complete!" Jellal's right eye glowed as he crushed the dark energy in his hand.

Erza looked down in shock as the energy appeared beneath her and shot up, encasing her in it. "Guh-huh!"

Putting his hands in his pockets Jellal calmly walked over toward the now floating ball that was Erza's prison. "It appears you've improved greatly but this is where it ends."

Inside the energy ball Erza struggled as she felt herself suffocate.

"Erza."

She could barely hear or see anything. Was this the end? It didn't matter, of course. Even if Jellal began the ritual to resurrect Zeref, he wouldn't make it in time. Etherion would fire any minute now and everything would be over.

"Erza!"

"Naruto?" she barely managed to whisper the darkness pressing down on her even tighter.

"Don't give up! Don't give Jellal the satisfaction!"

"It… doesn't matter. Nothing does anymore. Etherion will fire-" She was cut off by the imaginary Naruto in her head.

"How can you say that!?" She'd never heard him so angry. "Are you really going to let the council of all people settle the score between you and Jellal? And how will just sitting here, waiting for the end settle anything? How will dying make up for all the years you let your friends waste here? How does dying atone for what you owe them!?"

"I don't have…" she struggled to move but the darkness kept her in place. "I don't have the strength anymore."

"Bullshit! You have all the strength you could possibly need! If you can't move on your own then we'll move you for you!"

A blinding light broke through the darkness, driving it away, forcing Erza to cover her eyes with her arms. As the light dimmed, she was able to see all of her friends from Fairy Tail as well as Sho, Wally, Millianna, and Simon.

"You're not alone Erza." She heard from behind her and turned to see Naruto with a smile on his face. "All of us are with you." Behind her she could hear all of her friends shouting encouragement, lending their strength to her. "I'm with you. Jellal is alone. He's forsaken the bonds he had with you and everyone else to accomplish a made up dream to quell the ache in his heart. I believe in you, don't give up." He pulled her toward him and kissed her.

Outside the orb Jellal began walking back to his throne to await the arrival of Etherion when he heard several slashes. Turning he saw cuts in the orb of darkness, a brilliant light shining through, before it all shattered and an angry Erza flew out, pinning him to the ground before he could react.

"I told you before. There is nothing I fear now!"

"This is the same Erza?" Jellal stared up in shock as Erza leveled her blade to his throat.

"What is your real goal?" Jellal looked up at her with a jaded glare, "We both know the R-System isn't complete. I didn't spend those eight years doing nothing. I did research on the R-System. It's true its structure and system follow the blueprints exactly. But it's still missing something before it can be called complete."

"I told you, you're to be the sacrifice." Jellal smirked, only for Erza to rip it off his face as she continued.

"It's something more basic than that. What's lacking is magic energy! A tremendous amount of magic energy would be needed to initiate this large-scale spell. Maybe even more than all the mages on the continent have combined. There is no way this tower can hold that much magic, much less one person!" Erza could see it in his eyes, she was right. "On top of that, you haven't tried to escape despite knowing of the council's attack. What are you thinking?"

"One minute until the Etherion attack." Once more he smirked up at her.

"Jellal!" Erza couldn't believe all he could think about was the attack. "Your dream is long over. Is dying now what you want!?" She grabbed hold of his right arm when he made an attempt to get her off of him and squeezed it tightly. "I won't let go. We'll die together!"

"Ah, perhaps it's for the best. Erza…" She widened her eyes as Jellal relaxed and seemed to accept his fate. "Erza, thank you. Zeref has had control of my body for so long; his ghost possessed me all those years ago. I've been a simple puppet, meant to give Zeref new flesh."

"Possessed?" Was that what happened? Had he truly been possessed all this time?

"I've been unable to save myself. I've been alone for so long… I'm glad I at least got to see you, one last time. There was no heaven, no freedom, to be had. It was all over before it even began."

0o0o0 Magic Council - Era 0o0o0

"Give our prayers to the sacred light. Release Etherion!" Org commanded as the final systems check was finalized.

High above Era the Satellite Square honed in on the R-System, its shot completely aligned. The magic energy rocked both heaven and earth as it ascended into the air transporting itself high above the R-System.

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven 0o0o0

All over the tower, the few remaining occupants looked up to the sky, the magic blinding in its radiance as it roiled madly. The Heaven's Game was over.

No one was the victor.

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Top Levels 0o0o0

"This is...!" Naruto stared in shock at the huge chunk of lacrima sticking out of the ground where a chunk of the tower had fallen down from above. "Could it-!" Naruto clapped his hands together activating his sage mode and focused on sensing for lacrima.

Almost immediately his eyes shot open as he sensed not just a few large chunks of lacrima spread throughout the tower, but from deep beneath the tower below the ocean all the way to the very top was one single enormous lacrima.

Looking up, Naruto finally understood as he stared at the satellite square aiming down at the tower. "Heaven's Game. Kuso! It was all a trick! He wanted them to fire Etherion the entire time! FUCK!"

He could feel her, practically see her restraining Jellal to keep him from escaping. There was no time anymore. It was impossible for him to reach her in time. If only he had given it to her.

"ERZA!" He cried out for her as the Etherion at long last rained down on them.

0o0o0 The Ocean 0o0o0

Lucy watched in horror as the Etherion obliterated the tower, killing her friends that were still inside.

"Natsu… Erza…" Happy cried not believing what had just happened.

"Dammit! They had to have gotten out, they had to! They wouldn't go out like that!" Gray yelled, unable to accept that Natsu, Erza, Naruto, and Sasuke were... just gone.

"Gray-sama," Juvia whispered sadly, seeing the man she was in love with feeling such despair.

Wally, Sho, and Milianna cried silently as they once more lost their sister.

"W-wait… What is that?" As the smoke and debris cleared what looked to be like a giant crystal construct was revealed.

0o0o0 Magic Council - Era 0o0o0

"Etherion is confirmed impact with target!"

"Was target destroyed!? Confirm ASAP!"

All throughout the Etherion firing hall, mages and assistants scrambled to confirm the destruction of the eighth and final R-System.

Meanwhile in the upper tiers Siegrain looked down at the hysteria and couldn't help but maniacally grin. At long last, after eight years of plotting and preparing it had happened.

"It's finished. I've finally finished it!" Siegrain didn't care who heard him, knowing that Tsunade and Yajima were behind him. How could he? At long last his ambition was a reality.

"What have you done Sieg?" Yajima asked disbelief in his eyes and anger overcoming his facial features.

"This is why… How could you betray us!?" Tsunade declared as on the lacrima screens a huge tower of crystal appeared in place of the R-System. "You didn't want to fire Etherion to destroy the tower, you wanted to fire it to complete it!"

"It's too late Tsunade. Zeref will be revived and this pitiful world will be destroyed!" Siegrain smirked as his body began to disappear.

"A thought projection!" Yajima's eyes widened as he realised that Siegrain had never been there the entire time.

Suddenly all around them the building began to decay and fall apart. "We've been had! Get everyone out!" Tsunade ran to the edge of the balcony, risking herself as it and everything around her slowly crumbled into nothing.

0oo0 Tower of Heaven - Top Levels 0o0o

Natsu and Simon stared around them in awe as they were both now surrounded entirely by lacrima crystal.

"This is… how could I have not seen it before? Damn you Jellal! You tricked us from the beginning!" Simon roared, realizing what had happened and why they were still alive.

"We can't stop now! We have to get to Erza!" Natsu urged, not caring for the now lacrima tower.

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Top Level 0o0o0

"You tricked me!?" Erza yelled angrily as Jellal curtly turned his head toward her.

"You were really cute there, Erza," a voice behind her cut in, causing her to turn in surprise at the sight of Siegrain. "Jellal was not able to produce his true power. He was in mortal danger, so he had no choice but to trick you." Siegrain smirked as he rested his hand on his hip arrogantly.

"Siegrain! How? What are-"

"Do you remember the first time we met Erza?" Siegrain cut her off as he began to walk toward the two.

"That time you came with Makarov to deliver a written letter of apology to the council, yes?" Jellal answered causing Erza's eyes to widen in confusion.

"You mistook me for Jellal and attacked me." Siegrain turned toward her, a confident smirk was stitched across his face. " Well, we look identical, so it's to be expected. After you heard we were twins you finally calmed down. However, you always treated me as you enemy."

"Obviously! Instead of behaving as an older brother should, you tolerated what Jellal was doing! Or rather, you were spying on me!" Erza slashed her hand in front of her accusingly.

"Yes," Jellal confirmed.

"That was my mistake," Siegrain admitted. "I should have said something like "I will find Jellal and make him stop, no matter what!" I had just become a member of the council, so meeting you at all was my greatest mistake. The lies we tell in an unplanned moment cause us the greatest pain."

Erza glared them both down. "So you two really did plot this together."

"Together?" Jellal quirked his right brow up.

"No." Siegrain chuckled slightly.

"That's not quite it, Erza." Jellal took a slight step toward Siegrain, whilst Siegrain tilted his head with a cocky smirk, his body suddenly becoming see through.

"We are a single person," both said at the same time. "From the very beginning." Siegrain stepped into Jellal and the two became as one.

Erza watched in horror as the truth was finally shown to her. "No… A thought projection?"

"Yes. Siegrain is me," Jellal confirmed.

"So… you, yourself, fired Etherion?" Everything was beginning to click into place. "That's why you infiltrated the council?

"Did you enjoy your fleeting freedom, Erza? Everything went according to Zeref's plan for resurrection."

"You fiend… How many people have you deceived in your life?"

"Power… My magical power has returned!" A purple energy began to wrap around Jellal as he raised his arm and before she knew it, Erza realized she was sailing across the now crystallized room.

"Gah!" Erza tumbled across the floor, her previous strength now gone after her gambit to end everything with Etherion destroying the tower.

"What's wrong? What happened to all that strength from before? Did you use too much against Ikaruga?" Jellal taunted as Erza caught herself and Re-quiped a sword.

"Jellal!"

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Top Levels 0o0o0

Natsu suddenly stopped, eyeing their surroundings. "Hey, Simon."

"What?" The darkness mage was confused. Why did they stop? They didn't have any time left to save Erza.

"Go on ahead without me."

"What are you talking about? We -"

"Now!" Natsu shouted, spinning in place and deflecting a crystal spike that was shooting towards his head.

"Oh? So you sensed that, did you?" A female voice rang out. Slowly, a woman walked out from behind a large lacrima protrusion. She had pale skin, with dark purple-blue hair pulled into a spiky ponytail, and was wearing a green Elemental style battle kimono. "I must admit, after reading up on your file, I certainly wasn't expecting you to make it this far."

"Heh, never underestimate a Fairy Tail mage," Natsu smirked, a small tongue of flame flashing from his mouth.

"You must be the true fourth one Jellal hired," Simon said warily. Turning to Natsu he opened his mouth, but the Dragon Slayer cut him off.

"Go. I'll handle this."

Closing his mouth, the darkness mage stared at the other man for a second, before nodding. He began racing up the stairs, fists clenched tight in frustration. "I know this is why I brought them here… but it's galling how much I must rely on them." Shaking his head, he reaffirmed his resolve. "Erza, just hold on a little while more."

"Hey are you sure it's okay to let him go like that?" Natsu smirked. "He might ruin your boss' plan."

Guren snorted, a condescending look on her face. "Unlikely. That trash is too weak to achieve anything."

The pink haired mage frowned, realizing he was having trouble sensing his opponent's magic. "I don't like you. I can't feel any magic, and you reek of blood..." Natsu's mind flashed back to his fight with Totomaru. "You...you're a ninja!" He declared, pointing at her dramatically.

"Oh? Well, aren't you a smart little mage. Do you want a prize?" The woman sneered, confirming his guess. "Tough shit, gaki. Now, I've got a job to do, so why don't you just roll over and die?" Running through a quick four seal sequence, Guren the slammed her hands onto the floor. "Shoton: Omiwatari no Jutsu!" A jagged line of crystals began to shoot up from the floor, rapidly approaching Natsu. He dove to the side, but the crystals moved, following him. After dodging out of the way several times, he'd finally had enough.

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" He yelled, slamming his flame covered fist into the ground in front of the approaching crystals, the impact cratering the floor and causing the technique to end. Ears twitching, he spun around with a mighty inhale to see several crystal spears flying toward him. Exhaling, he countered with his Fire Dragon's Roar, destroying the spears. Warily, he looked around, having lost sight of his opponent.

Smirking, Guren phased out of the crystallized lacrima wall behind Natsu, her fists covered in crystal armor. Her attack caught him unaware, the heavy blow launching him forward. "Gah! Dammit, how'd you do that?"

"It really is a poor matchup for you, Salamander," Guren commented offhandedly. "Since this whole tower was converted into a lacrima, my own techniques are on a whole new level." She smirked, before disappearing in a burst of speed. Eyes widening, Natsu started to guard himself, but Guren reappeared and attacked before he could. This time, she had crystal blades attached to her arms, slashing Natsu several times before retreating. "Combine that with my experience and well…" Guren's face twisted into a sickeningly delighted expression. "You don't have a chance!"

"Shove it lady! Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!" Creating a massive fireball, Natsu then threw it at his opponent.

"Pathetic. Let me show you the true strength of a dragon. Shoton: Hasho Kouryu!" With a soundless roar, a 15-foot long crystal construct in the shape of an Elemental dragon formed. Interposing itself in between Guren and Natsu's attack, it almost casually opened it's mouth and ate the fireball.

Natsu stared at the construct for a second, a vein throbbing in his forehead. "T-That's not fair!" he yelled, stomping his feet. "How come you can make a dragon?!"

Taking advantage of his temper tantrum, Guren directed her construct to wrap up Natsu. The pink haired mage jumped over it, but the dragon spun around, catching him in midair. It then spun around again, and slammed headfirst into the ground, leaving Natsu encased in her Shoton: Suisho Ro no Jutsu.

Seeing this, Guren shook her head. "This wasn't an unexpected outcome, but I at least thought you'd put up a better fight than that." She sneered, walking slowly up to the crystal prison. She flicked it, a small crack appearing. "You know, if I were to shatter this now, you'd shatter too and die."

"I guess this is where I butt in then."

A flash of lightning seemed to shoot down from the ceiling, striking the prison and forcing Guren back. Surprisingly, instead of the crystal shattering and taking Natsu with it, it broke apart in chunks, leaving the mage inside unharmed.

"Tch, a Raiton user," Guren muttered angrily.

A figure appeared behind Natsu, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Why don't you let me take care of this?"

The pink haired mage spun around. "Sasuke, you bastard! I had her just where I wanted her."

The dark haired mage made to move in front of his friend, only to have the Dragon Slayer step in front of him. He sighed. "Give it up, Natsu. She's a bad match for you. I've got type advantage, and I'm stronger than you."

Natsu spluttered. "You… you bastard! What are you talking about? I -"

"As amusing as it is to watch you flounder about, aren't you forgetting about something?" Guren casually reminded the two, several crystal dragons now surrounding her.

"Tch. Just don't get in my way, Natsu," Sasuke said, unsheathing his katana, eyes locked on their opponent.

The pink haired mage slammed his flame covered hands together, eyes narrowed. "Heh, you don't get in my way, asshole."

The three stared each other down, before, at some unseen signal, they all exploded into motion. Sasuke and Natsu dashed forward, while Guren's crystal dragons rushed forth to intercept them with a wave of her hand.

Wordlessly, Sasuke activated his Chidori Eisou, using the lightning sword to cut down the first approaching dragon. Natsu slammed fist first into the second dragon, shattering its head in a burst of intense flame. Meanwhile, Guren had placed her hands on the lacrima floor, and began manipulating it with her chakra. Several new dragons sprung up, augmenting her dwindling supply as the two Fairy Tail mages attempted to approach her position.

"Dammit!" Natsu growled, barely dodging one dragon, only to throw up a hasty block as another one appeared before he could reset himself. He was slammed into the ground, and only by covering his body in flame at the very last second was he able to avoid being entrapped in crystal again.

Sasuke, on the other hand, was having a bit of an easier time dealing with the crystal constructs. As a result, more of them were focusing on him. Using his Sharingan to predict their movements, he wove in and out of them, utilizing both Raiton and Lightning magic to destabilize the dragons. Unfortunately, the charged lacrima that made up their surroundings provided Guren with an almost limitless source of low cost material, as shown by the fact that no matter how many Sasuke cut down, there was always another to take its place.

A flash of light was all the warning his eyes gave him, and Sasuke dove to the side immediately, just barely dodging a highly focused beam of chakra. "What the hell was that?" he wondered, senses heightened to the max.

"Oh? So you managed to dodge that. Well, if you couldn't, then that would mean your eyes weren't the real deal." Guren's smirk widened as the two mages got a look at her newest technique.

"Shoton: Isshi Komyo. The strongest technique I have." Light reflected off of the crystal prism now surrounding her. "The ultimate attack combined with the perfect defense. It's time I put an end to this." The front point of the prism began to glow with a build up of chakra. Eyes widening, Sasuke just barely managed to dodge again, this time able to see the laser bore a hole through the thick walls of the tower near instantly.

"Shit, not good," he muttered. "I can only just see the attack coming thanks to my eyes. Natsu wouldn't even be able to - ! Natsu!" Sasuke's sudden yell caused the pink haired mage to turn, the chakra beam meant for his heart instead drilling a hole through his left shoulder.

"Gaah!" He cried out, the force behind the attack throwing him to ground. "W-what the hell?" he panted out, right hand clutching the wound.

Sasuke ran over to his friend, keeping one eye on their enemy. It seems she was content to allow them to join up, the crystal dragons halting their attacks. A quick glance at Natsu's shoulder told him all he needed to know. "Natsu, don't use your left arm," he said, quickly pulling out a roll of bandages. "The damage is bad, and you'll only make it worse."

"Damn, what is with this lady? She's super strong!" Natsu groaned as Sasuke wrapped the wound as best he could.

"Even with my element advantage, this lacrima provides way too much advantage for her." The Uchiha finished tying the bandage and stood up. "Honestly, we don't stand much of a chance unless something changes," he thought, desperately racking his brain for some idea.

"I hope you've said your goodbyes, gaki," Guren said, placing her hands in the ram seal. The motionless dragons suddenly moved, surrounding the two. "Shoton: Isshi Komyo: Kouryu Ranbu!" The focused beam of chakra emitted from her defensive prism struck one of the crystal dragons, before the beam split, reflecting out to the nearby constructs. Within the space of a heartbeat, Sasuke's eyes saw their doom.

"The beam splits thanks to the reflective properties of the crystal, and she's managed to surround us. This is an omni-directional attack designed to completely wipe out an opponent…" Sasuke could see no way out. They were going to die.

The beams converged on their position, creating a large explosion, causing Guren to smile. "Well, that's tha-" Her mouth snapped shut as an intensely ominous feeling washed over her. Her eyes narrowed on the dust cloud where the two mages should have been defeated. "What is going on?"

The cloud slowly cleared, and Guren's eyes widened in shock. "What is that?"

The two Fairy Tail mages were both still alive. In fact, they hadn't taken any damage from her last attack. Instead, it seemed they were protected by some giant purple skeleton made entirely of what looked like chakra.

Inside the skeleton, Sasuke winced, his eyes twitching as they felt like they were on fire. Somehow, he instinctively knew… this was part of his Mangekyou Sharingan. Natsu meanwhile was staring around in awe. "This… This is so cool! What is it? Did you make it Sasuke? Is it made of fire? Can I eat it?"

The other man dropped to one knee, the guardian consuming his chakra at a frightening pace. It flickered once, twice, before slowly disappearing. "Shut up, Natsu," he managed to get out, breathing deeply at the strain, ignoring the dragon slayer's concerned look. Glaring at Guren, Sasuke's mind spun rapidly. If he could just remember the feeling from last time…

"...Well, I don't know what that was, but it doesn't look like you can do it again," Guren said as she calmed down slightly. "Now, how about -"

"Shut up," the Uchiha ground out, one hand coming up to cover his right eye. "You talk too much." His left eye widened as he glared at Guren. "Amaterasu." Near instantaneously, Guren's crystal enclosure was engulfed in the deadly black flames that Sasuke had seen only once before as he felt the last of his chakra drain into the attack. He toppled the rest of the way to the ground, panting heavily.

"Sasuke!"

The enemy shinobi smiled. "Idiot. There's no way some paltry little flame can break through my reinforced crystal. What a - CRACK!" Guren's smile slipped as her crystal enclosure began to crack and warp under the strength of the mystical fire. "I-impossible!" Hurriedly, she formed another ram seal, this time causing the enclosure to break apart and the pieces to fire at the Fairy Tail mages. "Dammit, just die, will you?!"

Seeing Sasuke's prone form struggling to rise, Natsu stepped forward. He managed to deflect most of the pieces, even catching one in his teeth. Glancing, at the black flame, Natsu's instincts flared up. "This fire...it's super dangerous." He gained a glint in his eye that Sasuke could recognize.

"D-don't do it, idiot. You… you can't…"

"Itadakima~su!" Natsu grinned ferally, before inhaling mightily, sucking up all the Amaterasu flames nearby.

Ba-thump. Ba-thump. BA-THUMP.

"Aaaaagh!" Natsu screamed as the black fire raced through his body. His hands clawed at his throat, even as he dropped to his knees.

Sasuke, who had just managed to make it to his knees, looked on in horror. "Natsu, no!"

Guren looked on, confused, but slightly relieved. "I don't know what he's trying, but it looks like it didn't work out. This is my chance to finish them." She quickly molded crystal blades on her arms and dashed forwards, intent on finally putting the mages down.

BA-THUMP.

Natsu fell silent as Guren approached. Sasuke could only look on, unable to muster up the energy to jump in front and shield his comrade.

BA-THUMP.

Guren raised her arm, crystal blade flashing. "This is my victory!" she declared, arm beginning its descent.

BA-THUMP.

Natsu exploded, red and black flames spiralling around him uncontrollably and throwing Guren back. Sasuke shielded his eyes, unable to look directly into the flames. "Natsu…"

The pink haired dragon slayer slowly stood up, a black flame mark appearing on his left shoulder. His face looked much more feral, and what looked like scales dotted his body.

"Why won't you die?!" Guren yelled, slamming her hands to the ground. "Shoton: Hasho Kouryu!" The largest dragon yet appeared, reaching over 30 feet long. With a soundless roar it charged forward, intent on obliterating Guren's foes.

Natsu's hands lit up, the right in red flames and the left in black. He launched himself forwards, his left pulled back. With a single, devastating punch, he destroyed the crystal construct and continued on to Guren, who didn't have time to throw up any other defenses.

"Exploding Black Fire Blade!"

Natsu rained punches down upon the shinobi, before clasping his hands together, the raging flames swirling together. He swung down, and, at the moment of impact, the fire surrounding his hands expanded, engulfing Guren in a sphere of destruction.

Guren fell to the ground, her body burnt and broken, but still alive. Natsu landed in front of her, the black flame mark fading to a much lighter state.

Tears leaked from the unconscious Guren's eyes. "Yukimaru… I'm sorry…" she mumbled out.

Sasuke just stared. "What the hell… When did he get so strong?" Staggering to his feet, he limped up to his guild mate. "Natsu, how did…" He trailed off, noticing that his friend was unconscious standing up.

"Tch, typical idiot." Sasuke looked toward Guren on the ground. Part of him was urging him to kill her, prevent her from being a threat ever again. Another part of him recoiled in disgust. Fairy Tail doesn't kill people, he'd heard that plenty from the master and Kakashi.

While he was debating, part of the ceiling caved in, several pieces of lacrima crashing to the floor around them. Giving one last stare at their downed opponent, Sasuke turned and threw Natsu over his shoulder before limping for the stairs. "Even if I do nothing, the tower is coming down anyways. Naruto, you better save Erza…"

0o0o0 Tower of Heaven - Top Level 0o0o0

Erza panted as she swung and slashed her blades toward Jellal who merely laughed at her attempts. "It's pointless Erza. Everything at the council has come to a screeching halt. Ultear… I'll make sure to thank her." He said, making a mental note for later, paying little mind to the woman trying to kill him.

"Without her, my ambition would never have been possible. And of course without you it'll never be finished. So why don't you be a good girl and allow yourself to be sacrificed to the Great Zeref?" He turned on her catching her arm mid swing and plunged a fist deep in her gut causing her eyes to bug out and launching her clear across the room.

Erza unsteadily stood up, a smirk on her face.

"Oh? And what have you found so amusing Erza?" Jellal taunted.

"Heh, you think I haven't noticed?" Erza spat blood, using one of her blades to help her stand. "You claim you've gained all this magic power back and yet all you've done is dodge and thrown the occasional punch. You haven't used a single spell since your precious tower revealed its true form." Gripping her blade she raised it and with all the strength she could muster she brought it down, creating a huge crack across the room.

"No!" Jellal screamed, realizing her intent. "Do you really think you have enough energy to bring it down!? Do you think I'd let you?"

"Then stop me! But remember one thing!" Once more Erza raised her weapon, unlodging it from the lacrima infused ground, "Destruction is what Fairy Tail does best!" Again she slammed her weapon downward, fragmenting the lacrima further, all the way to the ceiling.

"Damn you!" Jellal grit his teeth, displeased with the turn of events, however his face quickly contorted into a twisted grin. "It doesn't need to be you anymore. No, now that the tower is complete any wizard comparable to one of the 10 wizard saints will do!" Jellal raised his arms above his head and crossed them as a sickening energy began to form above him. "Prepare to plummet into infinite darkness, Erza!"

Erza's eyes widened as she recognized the dark spell Jellal was now casting. Altairis.

"Jellal!"

Erza's eyes widened as she stared at the back of Simon who was now standing between her and Jellal. "Simon no! What are you still doing here?"

"You will not harm her Jellal! Never again! For eight years I've watched you twist and manipulate all those around you! For eight years, despite not seeing her once, I knew she was suffering! Well no more! I will stand idle no longer!"

Jellal laughed at the pitiful sight of Simon. The man had barely fought with Fukuro and yet he looked like he'd just escaped a horrific battlefield. "Simon, this is truly precious! Even after all these years, you're still trying to win her heart! How noble of you to sacrifice yourself for her! But it won't be enough! I'll obliterate the both of you!" The intensity of the Jellal's spell increased, pulling even the shadows of the room toward it.

"Simon, get out of here! You don't have to do this!" Despite all of her best efforts she couldn't move. Her strength had left her yet again. She'd used it all in her last attack on the tower. "I had freedom Simon! You don't have to throw yours away for me!"

Simon ignored her, focusing on Jellal and the pending attack. "Don't worry. I will protect you with everything I have!"

"STOP!" Erza cried as she saw Jellal move to launch his attack.

"Heavenly Body Magic: Altairis!"

The spell flew across the room hitting Simon dead on.

Erza watched in horror as her long time friend took the brunt of the attack, holding his ground.

"AHHHHHH! I will not move!" Simon cast a magic circle, using his Darkness magic to help absorb Altairis as his body felt like it was being torn apart in every direction.

Finally the attack gave, and Simon knew no more as his body was blown back, landing not far from Erza. He could barely see her incredible red hair, and was at a loss for words. What could he say? Everything over the last eight years was for her. It was true, what he'd said to her earlier. He never lost faith in her. He knew Jellal was lying. That Erza would never betray them in such a way. His only regret would be that he'd never told her he loved her. That she gave him hope, that one day they would both be free and never again know the pain of a slave's bondage. "How pathetic. Even when I'm dying, I can't confess to her. I guess… her beauty is too magnificent for such a short declaration." Simon noticed her begin to crawl, crying out for him. "I loved you."

A small smile spread across his lips as he passed.

As the smoke cleared, Jellal could see Erza had managed to crawl toward Simon who was now laying prone, motionless.

"Simon? ...Simon?!" Erza shook the darkness mage's body. Looking for any kind of response, only to find none. "No!" She bent over the body, body wracked with grief, sobbing.

A few seconds passed, before her mourning was interrupted. It started with a chuckle. "Heh...heh heh…" Jellal threw his head back, laughing. "Pathetic! How utterly pathetic!" he crowed. His head snapped forward, pinning Erza and Simon's body with a mad look. "That's what's known as "throwing your life away," Simon. The end will be the same!" Jellal made a slashing motion with his hand. "No one will survive and leave this tower!"

Erza just stayed slumped, unresponsive to the madman's declaration. Despite everything she'd seen so far, she'd still held some hope that Jellal wouldn't go so far as to kill their friends. "What a fool I've been," she thought as her eyes clouded over. "He's right… There is no escape anymore."

Calmly walking up to the redhead, Jellal almost tenderly lifted her to her feet, leaving Simon's body on the floor. Leaning in, he whispered in her ear.

"I'm done playing around, Erza. I'll let the lacrima, infused with this enormous amount of magic, fuse with your body." He leaned back and raised a hand, part of the floor raising into a giant lacrima spike. "Your body will disintegrate, and will be reconstructed into Zeref's body." He smiled then, the gentle expression at odds with his actions.

"I loved you, Erza," he said, as he pushed her unresisting body back into the lacrima, watching as the magic infused crystal slowly absorbed her.

Jellal closed his eyes and raised his arms in supplication. "Oh great Zeref, I give to you the body of this woman!" he called out, voice echoing among the crystals.

"Ya know, I've just about had it with your talk of resurrecting dead people and sacrifices," an annoyed voice spoke out from right behind him. The blue haired mage's eyes shot open as he began to turn, before a fist buried itself into his cheek, launching him across the room to crash into a lacrima outcropping.

That taken care of, Naruto moved up to Erza, swiftly pulling her from the gel-like lacrima and resting her on the ground. He frowned, seeing the dead look in her eyes. "C'mon Erza, this isn't like you. What happened to the Titania, the one woman who can kick my ass to next week and back?"

Jella pulled himself from the cratered lacrima and silently watched on, an intrigued look in his eyes.

The redhead slowly lifted her face, eyes brightening a touch upon seeing him. "Na...Naruto?"

"That's my name, don't wear it out!" He joked, a cheesy grin on his face.

Erza's hand slowly reached out, hesitating, before finally grabbing a fistful of Naruto's shirt. Her eyes regained their luster, before spilling over with tears. "Naruto… Simon… He-he died…" Shaking her head, she tried to gather herself. "You need to get out of here." Using her hold on his shirt, she pulled herself up into a sitting position, his hand immediately going to support her. "No one can stop him, not now. I won't have you dieing here, because of me."

"Well, that hurts. I didn't know you had so little faith in me."

"I'm being serious, you ass," she scolded, frustrated in his lackadaisical attitude.

"So am I," he countered, staring straight into Erza's eyes. "Isn't Fairy Tail all about trusting your friends?" He leaned forward, lightly bumping his forehead into hers. "I may not be part of the guild, but I am your friend, aren't I?"

Erza flushed at the close proximity, before finally looking away in defeat. "But he's…"

Naruto's other hand came up and stroked her hair. "Don't worry about it, okay? I'll beat him for you." Having said his piece, he swiftly pinched a nerve in her neck and applied a touch of chakra, knocking her out. He slowly lowered her body back to the floor, before standing up, back still to Jellal.

Said blue haired mage sneered at the interaction. "Seems like she's moved on from me. How sad." He opened his mouth to continue, but abruptly froze as a chill ran up his spine, Naruto's killing intent spiking.

"Not. Another. Word."

"Aw, did I hit a nerve?"

One second, that was all it took. In the space of a blink, Naruto covered the gap between himself and Jellal, laying into the other man with a devastating combo of punches, elbows, and knees. Finally managing to knock one of the blond's attacks off center, Jella retreated to gain some distance, only to find his opponent had already run through an extremely fast hand seal sequence.

"Futon: Daitoppa!"

A raging gust of wind picked up the evil mage and tossed him through a lacrima cluster before his momentum played out, allowing him to finally regain his feet. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Jella took note of the blood on his gloves. He smirked, eyeing the blond, noticing his subtle efforts to hide how much that attack drained him. "Someone seems to be running on empty. Regretting your little temper tantrum earlier?"

Naruto grimaced at Jellal's taunt hitting the mark. That Daitoppa had been hasty, and hadn't helped with his dwindling chakra reserves. Nevertheless, he was determined. He would beat the shit out of this arrogant son-of-a-bitch before making him apologize to Erza. Then "disappear" him. Focusing, he charged forward. This time, though, Jellal was ready.

"Let me show you true power. Heavenly Body Magic: Meteor!" A pale yellow light enveloped the mage's body, before he shot forward even faster than Naruto.

"Oh, that is such bullshit-" Naruto managed to think before Jellal's fist crashed into his gut, causing him to double over. The mage zipped away, before darting back in, delivering a kick to Naruto's back. The blond's eyes kept track of him no problem, but after everything he'd been through in the last 2 days, he just didn't have ability to keep up anymore. "Shit, it's like training with Sensei all over again," he thought, barely managing to dodge a flying knee only to get tripped up as Jellal was immediately behind him.

A double heel stomp caused Naruto to gasp in pain, spittle and blood flying from his mouth. Taking the opportunity, Jellal flew up into the air. He placed his hands into an odd sign, reminiscent of the Big Dipper. "Be judged by the Seven Stars," he intoned, seven magic seals lighting up the dark sky behind him. "Blade of the Seven Stars: Grand Chariot!" Seven massive blasts of magic shot from the faux constellation, each hit exploding on Naruto's position, and taking out a chunk of the tower's top floor.

As the dust cleared, it revealed a battered and bleeding Naruto, breathing shallowly as he layed on the ground. The blond glared at his opponent, causing Jellal to laugh as he landed lightly on the floor.

"Is this really all you have? Before my time in the tower, I remember the stories. Shinobi were the boogeymen of the world. Always plotting and scheming, but also so monstrously strong that they could take over a country if they wanted." He shook his head in disappointment, glancing at the ruined sections of the tower. "I got too excited and overdid it a little," he admitted, before turning to where Erza's body lay miraculously untouched. "It wouldn't do to delay any longer, right Erza?"

As he started walking to the downed Fairy Tail mage, he mused out loud on his plans after resurrecting Zeref. "You know, you Fairy Tail mages have been quite the thorn in my side. My first order of business will be stomping out that pathetic gathering you call a guild." He tapped a finger to his temple, throwing a quick glance at Naruto. "And don't think I've forgotten about you and your friends. I'll make sure to track them all down and offer them Zeref's...hospitality."

The blond could only grit his teeth, body refusing to move. "Goddamnit, of all times… If you never listen to another thing I say, I don't care. Just move!"

"Having some problems, eh?"

Naruto's worldview ground to a halt, time lengthening exponentially. "You-!"

"Me. What a sight you've made of us. What a disgrace." The voice managed to convey haughty condescension and massive disappointment all at once. "So here you are, beaten, broken, about to fail in everything… What will you do?"

Naruto remained silent, refusing to answer.

"Don't play games with me! You know that right now, all you have is me. No friends to bail you out, no external power-ups to serve as a crutch. Use my power, and crush this fool who dares to take from you!"

The blond wavered, seeing Jellal mere feet from Erza, moments from completing his plan and offering her as a living sacrifice.

"Ah yes, the girl. Surely you wish to save her? Save her, unlike your mother, who was killed by those pathetic dogs of the country?"

Naruto bared his teeth at the voice. "I will save her! But I won't be your pawn, I won't let you control me!"

The voice chuckled, the blond's skull rattling at the volume. "Of course, of course. I won't ask for control. I will merely provide you with the power you need to accomplish your goals. All I ask... is that you let me in."

"...Fine."

As Jellal's foot met the ground, a massive blast of malevolent energy surged from behind him. Instinctively activating Meteor, he flew to the side at max speed, just barely dodging - was that a clawed hand made of energy?

Turning, he finally got a good glimpse of what attacked him. It was Naruto, but a very different Naruto from the one he had just fought. For one, this blond was surrounded in a crimson orange aura of energy, much denser than magic. For another, his blue eyes were replaced with baleful scarlet, the pupils elongated like a feral animal's. "What is this?" the mage wondered out loud, not having received any information about this kind of ability from his contacts.

"Jellal, I'm gonna kill you," the demonic looking blond growled out through enlarged canines, voice taking on a dark duality. That was all the warning he got before the feral Naruto was upon him, moving even faster than before.

"That's just as fast as Meteor!" Jella thought, moving to block the blond's strike. The moment the cloak of energy touched him though, it immediately began to burn and eat away at his flesh. Only his enhanced reactions thanks to his magic allowed him to disengage without major injury.

Naruto's red cloak flared in all directions as his prey managed to evade his grasp. "Don't think you can run!"

It was in that moment that Jellal truly understood what his contacts had meant when he was told not to underestimate the Shinobi that had appeared in Fiore after 13 years. He had only seen a picture of the blond once before. It had been 2 years ago. That was when the hidden picture had been taken. Blond hair. 3 scars on either cheek. And blood red eyes. This man was not just a Shinobi. He was the Shinobi. "The Hitokiri." Jellal was sent flying back as soon as he'd said it.

"It's because of you that she shed tears!" Naruto cried out as he descended upon the mage once more grabbing hold of his throat and slammed him down into the ground, straight through to the next floor.

Using the power of Meteor, Jellal slipped out of Naruto's grasp just before he made contact with the floor once more. "That's rich coming from someone like you! How many have shed their tears over the thousands of corpses you've made? Huh, Hitokiri!?"

Naruto slowly stood from the crater he'd made when he landed after Jellal escaped from him, his gaze never leaving the blue-haired mage. "I left no one to shed those tears."

Jellal couldn't help the shiver that ran through his body. It was like he wasn't even talking to a human being anymore. "What kind of monster are you?"

"The kind that kills monsters like you." Jellal didn't even see him move. He merely felt his gut wrench him the other way and back up the way he came.

Erza stirred as the ensuing explosion rocked the room and Jellal came flying back through. Groggily she managed to turn her head to where Jellal had managed to catch himself in midair.

"That's it!" Moving as fast as he could Jellal made the necessary movements to cast the most dangerous spell he knew, the magic seal forming in front of him. "This time, your death will not be exaggerated! I will begin this world's new freedom with your death! ABYSS BRE-!"

Jellal couldn't breathe. A searing pain wracked his body as Naruto continued to shove the requiped sword through his chest. "Your kind of freedom is what made me."

Erza stared in shock as the two men plummeted back down and landed just out of sight with a sickening crunch.

Staggering to her feet, the redhead started moving, desperate to find out if either had survived. Before she could make it even halfway, a tanned hand reached up and grasped the edge of the lacrima leading to the lower floors. With a flex, Naruto dragged himself up and rolled over, away from the edge, panting heavily. Seeing Erza, he gave her a wink and dragged himself to his feet. He stumbled forward, only to have Erza catch him and prevent him from falling. "Thanks, Erza."

"Naruto...you won." She clutched his shirt tightly and buried her head into his shoulder. He could feel her shaking. Raising his arm, he patted her on the head.

"Of course I did. I promised you, didn't I?" Feeling her nod, he chuckled. "Now what are we supposed to do about this tower-"

He cut off as the lacrima all around started glowing vibrantly, before the entire tower began to shake.

"Shit, okay then. Erza, we need to get out of here, and I can't really feel my legs at this point. I need you to lead us out of here."

"Right," she agreed, slinging his left arm over her shoulders. She quickly guided them back down to the path she'd used reach the top of the tower, the two narrowly dodging several chunks of falling lacrima.

The rumbling of the tower intensified as they descended. Their progress had slowed considerably, as every few seconds they had to dodge falling lacrima or wild bursts of magic.

"The intense magical power is warping the lacrima," Erza's mind raced, trying to see a way out. "This is beyond my expectations. Even if we do get out, we'll still be caught in the explosion…" She was brought out of her thoughts as Naruto's grip tightened on her shoulder.

"Hey, what's with that look? This is nothing. We'll-"

A blast of magic erupted from directly beneath them, throwing the two off to one side. Thankfully, there was a protruding ledge, likely the remain of some kind of balcony, that they landed on. While they had avoided most of the damage, the incident only confirmed Erza's fears. This tower was going to claim their lives, in one way or another.

"Erza? Are you okay? Erza!" Naruto's called out, seeing the mage slumped a few feet away from him but unable to move thanks to the damage he'd taken.

"I'm done playing around, Erza. I'll let the lacrima, infused with this enormous amount of magic, fuse with your body." He leaned back and raised a hand, part of the floor raising into a giant lacrima spike. "Your body will disintegrate, and will be reconstructed into Zeref's body."

Erza's eyes widened as she recalled what Jellal had said. "Fusion…! If I can fuse with the tower, I might be able to control the tower and stop the explosion!"

The redhead abruptly stood up, startling Naruto. "Oh, you're okay. Come on, we need to keep moving," he said, extending a hand to her.

Ignoring him, she turned and walked toward the lacrima wall, which was losing its shape due to destabilization.

"Erza?" the blond asked, hand dropping in confusion.

"I've got no other choice." She placed a hand upon the lacrima. She pushed, and flinched as the limb was absorbed into the now gel-like material.

"What are you doing?!"

"This is the only way to stop the tower from going berserk," she explained, refusing to look at the blond. "If I fuse myself with the tower and suppress the rampant magic…"

"That's crap!" Naruto retorted, "If you do that-"

"Gah!" Erza's cry of pain cut him off as she was pulled further into the lacrima. "I'll definitely stop it!"

Unable to stand, Naruto was reduced to crawling toward her. "Stop it! Erza, don't do this!" Making it to right in front of her, he found the lacrima solid to his touch. Using it as a brace, he pulled himself up unsteadily.

"Erza…" Naruto's voice trembled with emotion.

"I couldn't have lived my life without Fairy Tail," she began almost as if he wasn't there. "They took me in, gave me a home, friends… They are all so precious to me." Here her shoulders began to shake slightly. "It was even thanks to them that I got to meet you, Naruto."

She finally turned to look at him, tears silently falling, a brilliant smile on her face. "I couldn't have asked for more. If I can save you, even at the cost of this body… I would do so without hesitation."

"Erza…"

The redhead leaned forward, kissing the stunned blond. "Thank you, for everything," she said, just as she was finally pulled fully into the lacrima.

"Ie. IE!" Naruto began to pound on the lacrima. "Damn it Erza come back! This can't happen again! Kuso kuso kuso! No one's supposed to die for me! I swore I'd be strong enough! You can't die like she did! Don't leave me Erza!"

"Naruto… take care of everyone for me. I'm glad I was able to meet you." Erza smiled as she floated further back into the lacrima as Naruto's form and voice began to fade.

"IE! I can't accept this! I won't! Give her back!" Naruto continued to punch even as his lacrima surroundings began to glow brighter and brighter around him.

"Erza!" He yelled, one eye flashing red as he slammed both fists into the lacrima, causing the magical crystal to splinter. "I won't let you go!" As his fists finally shattered the lacrima barrier, the entire tower exploded.

0o0o0o0o0o0

"They say he's killed 30 people this time. Women and children among them." Sasuke growled as he crumpled the newspaper he'd been reading before throwing it to the side. "Damn it how much longer is Master going to prevent us from doing something about him!?"

"That isn't how Fairy Tail takes care of things Sasuke. You know that. As much as I agree with you, it's up to the Rune Knights to stop him," Sakura said with a defeated tone. "I can't believe it's been 6 months since she died. The guild hasn't been the same."

"How could it when that bastard is killing people in her name!?" Gray yelled out. "Ever since he started killing, we've gotten fewer and fewer job offers. Hell, we're on the brink of being labeled a dark guild because of him!"

"Gray that's enough. All we can do is persevere. Naruto is hurt, damaged much more than any of you can ever imagine. The loss of Erza… it broke whatever shred of humanity he had left." Kakashi spoke, his tone just as firm as it always been.

"When Erza… when we lost Erza it broke all of us Kakashi! She was our friend too! Long before he ever met her! How could he be doing these horrible things in her name? How is killing children honouring her? How has anything he's done honor who she was!?" Mirajane cried out as she was pulled into a hug with Sasuke who kept a leveled glare at the silver haired man.

Unknown to them, invisible, Erza looked on in shocked horror.

"What's going on? What is this? I'm dead aren't I?"

Just then the doors to Fairy Tail opened and a solemn looking Makarov entered.

"Master!" the unanimous cry was called out at once as several members ran up to find out what had happened at the sudden guild master's meeting.

"What was decided?"

"Have they finally come to their senses?"

"Please tell us Master!"

Makarov understood his children were hurt. He was hurt. To see such a fine young man give in to his inner demons… he wished things had turned out differently. He looked up into the eyes of his children and his heart broke. All he could see was anger and the need for vengeance.

"The council has made their decision. We are to join the other guilds in hunting down and killing Uzumaki Naruto and his cohorts. Any who refuse will be labeled as sympathizers for his cause and destroyed alongside him."

Erza couldn't believe her ears and as she tried to call out to the others a golden light blinded her as she felt her body move through time and space and the next thing she knew a massive explosion went off as two angry cries rang throughout the battlefield.

"Naruto!"

"Sasuke!"

The two men were bleeding profusely as their fists met the other's cheek knocking them both down.

"Naruto," the angry Hatake spat as he struggled back to his feet, "I will not lose to you Dobe. You said that you were trying to protect everyone! You said you were going to honor her!"

"I am!" Naruto retorted as he too forced himself back up. "Damn it, why are you so god damn blind? Don't you get that I'm not the enemy!?"

"Enough! I don't know why I ever believed in you. There is no shadow organization, no secret traitors! It's all in your head! And I will not let you kill anyone else in your demented crusade! This time I know it's the real you. I wish I could be sorry, but I'm not. Amaterasu!" Sasuke's right eye closed as his left eye began to bleed.

Naruto screamed in agonizing pain as black flames engulfed him.

Erza couldn't bear to watch as one of her closest friends burned the man she loved to death.

"No. This isn't happening. This isn't what I wanted! I died for Naruto's future, for everyone's future. Yet…" Erza brought her hands up as she began to cry. "This isn't the future I wanted to see. All I ever wanted was to see everyone smile."

The golden light returned once more. In fear she closed her eyes, unable to bear witness the destruction of any others she cared for.

"Erza!"

"No. I don't want to see anything else."

"Erza, please!"

"I can't. I can't bear anymore."

"Please, wake up Erza. C'mon. Don't leave me. I need you."

With caution Erza opened her eyes as the light blinded her and she knew no more.

0o0o0o0o0o0

"Erza," Naruto continued to try to get the woman in his arms to wake up as he trudged along the shallows of the beach, making slow progress, back to dry land. Physically, he was exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to just collapse and let the sea take him. But he couldn't. He had to at least get her to safety first.

"Naruto?" his name was whispered so quietly, he almost missed it over the sound of the waves. He stopped as he looked down to see a pair of hazelnut eyes staring back into his own oceanic blues. "Are- are we alive?"

"Ah. I made a promise to bring you back. I never go back on my word." Naruto tightened the grip he had on her and then continued his march toward the land, determined to at least make it that far.

"He found me in that maelstrom of magic energy? Wh-what an incredible man." Erza thought as a lone tear fell from her left eye.

"Erza! Naruto!" the two turned to see all of their friends running toward them from further down the beach.

"We're the same, you know." His fatigue began to show as his knees gave out from under him and the two collapsed into the water. "We feel the same exact way." He began to cough harshly, quickly covering his mouth with his hand. Erza's eyes widened at the sight of blood flowing between his fingers. "If I can save you, even at the cost of this body, I would do so without hesitation." His breathing was labored as he fell on top of her.

"Naruto? Naruto!"

"You didn't think it'd be that easy did you?" was the last thing the blond heard as his eyes rolled up into his head, losing consciousness.

00000000000

Ooh, spooky.

Spooky indeed. Just what will happen to Naruto?

That's for us to know and the readers to eventually find out… maybe.

You never know with us. So many mysteries just waiting to be uncovered.

Anyways, with this we are almost done with this arc, just one more chapter left I think.

Yep just one to go and we move on to dealing with everyone's favorite lightning boy.

Killua?

Exactly.

Yay!

On to other exciting news. We just finished setting up our very own page!

I know, I know, but honestly, I think it's worth it.

Now before you pull out the pitchforks and torches hear us out. We are not going to be holding anything hostage in anyway. You can still read all of our stories absolutely free.

That's right. Nothing will change here on ff . net.

What using does for us is give us the ability to put more time, and better yet, scheduled slotted time, to sit down and write. And be forced to write. With your patron support we would be obligated to write and not procrastinate and actually get shit done rather than just enjoying writing as a hobby we can do whenever.

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Stop sounding like a used car salesman.

Well… I did sell TVs at one point so… never!

...sigh

4K TVs mind you. Top of the line.

Thanks everyone, and we'll see you in the next chapter!

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