SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 73out, this is Chapter 74 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OCs.

Chapter 74: To the Infinity Castle!

"Natsu, thank goodness you're safe." Happy flew in.

"Naturally." Natsu grinned. "You think I'd be done in by the likes of these chumps?"

"Wendy, treat the cardinal." Ulyo instructed.

"Right." Wendy went to work.

"Unbelievable." Byro remarked. "You dare break into this holy sanctuary? I've never seen a more insolent Guild."

"No matter how desperately you maggots struggle, you won't stop 'Real Nightmare'." Lapointe chuckled. "This world is going to end. The great power behind the establishment of Zentopia, its source is the 'Infinity Clock'. Long ago, it was called the 'Infinity Castle'. During the upcoming anniversary event that's held once every 100 years, the 'Infinity Castle' will release all the magic its accumulated. 100 years' worth of magic. There's no way to fight against it."

"Why are you doing this?" Happy demanded.

"To return this world to chaos." Lapointe replied. "There's no other reason than that. If I control 'Real Nightmare', I can return the world to the state of chaos it was in prior to the founding of Zentopia. The time has come for people to unleash the malice and desires they've sealed deep inside."

"That what Neville feared." Carla realized. "Which is why I created a seal that would last throughout the ages, right?"

"But what does it have to do with Lucy?" Wendy wondered.

"The 'Infinity Clock' was sealed away by Celestial Mages and can only be controlled by the magic of a Celestial Mage." Ulyo explained. "And since Lucy holds 10 of the 12 Zodiac Keys…"

"That's why she's the perfect sacrifice?" Gray echoed.

"If you wish to stop the 'Infinity Clock'," Lapointe laughed. "You'll have to put an end to that girl's life. There's no other way. The end of the world will start here, from Zentopia. What's happening?" he gasped, his body started fizzling. "My body…"

"I pity you, Lapointe." Ulyo sighed. "Did you really think you could fool my Mirror?"

"I get it." Gildarts realized what the Guardian was referring to. "You're also one of the fakes. You didn't realize that you were just a puppet, created by Personification Magic.

"I'm the one who used that." Lapointe declared. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"We've seen a lot of people on our way here." Laki explained. "They had the same form as you. That's how we know."

"You were merely a tool." Ulyo added.

"Wrong!" Lapointe barked. "I'm a Zentopia cardinal! I'm not a doll!"

"Oh, shut up!" Ulyo summoned her Mirror. "Stardust Reflection!"

"That smell…" Natsu frowned, Ulyo's dust attack vanquishing the said cardinal, leaving Master Zero's lock of hair behind. "Master Zero's hair."

"Pathetic thing." Erza added.

"Not just Lapointe." Byro admitted. "My Legion was also nothing more than tools. But at last, I've realized that path I should take. As Zentopia's soldiers, we should save the world. In order to stop the 'Infinity Clock', I will dispose of Lucy."

"Over my dead body!" Natsu released a flame-charged punch, which was blocked off easily by Byro, who then slammed the Dragon Slayer onto the ground.

"I have a score to even with this guy." Gildarts came forward. "The rest of you save Lucy."

"I know how to get to the 'Infinity Castle." Coco informed.

"You!" Gajeel glared as Samuel landed on the ground, the Exceed having overheard the conversation.

"Sammy!" Pantherlily exclaimed.

"I shall carry out Byro's will." Samuel declared. "Nii-san, this is my decision. Already, there is no time to lose. I feel bad for all of you," he took to the air. "But I don't need to calculate to know this. When one life is in the balance against the end of the world, the answer is obvious."

"Happy!" Pantherlily gave the order and the two Exceeds took off after Samuel.

"I won't let you interfere." Byro nullified their wings with his magic.

"I told you I'm your opponent." Gildarts reminded.

"This way!" Coco led the group off.

"Wendy, use this to boost your healing." Ulyo tossed the Dragon Slayer of vital of mist waters from the legendary Spirit Oasis.

"This is…" Wendy looked at the star-shaped bottle that landed on her palms.

"Mist waters from the Spirit Oasis." Ulyo replied. "Where did you guys think I'd been training these five years?" she rolled her eyes. "Warren, you stay here as our communication liaison." she continued. "The rest of you, come with me."

"Hurry, everyone!" Coco urged.

"That girl is fast." Elfman remarked.

"According to Fabrizio, we can get up to the 'Infinity Castle' through the eye at the triangle of the cathedral's centre." Coco explained.

"Don't make me laugh." Cobra snorted, appearing before the assault group as they headed towards the 'Infinity Castle'. "I can hear it, your anxiety, desperation, despair."

"I'll take him on." Natsu declared.

"You're the last one." Cobra stated. "Before that, there's someone else I want to finish off." He tossed his attack at Erza.

"You heard him, right?" Erza dodged the attack and faced her opponent. "I think he likes me."

"Natsu, let's go." Ulyo pressed.

"Erza, if you lose, I'm gonna wallop you." Natsu promised and took off.

"What is this place?" Elfman wondered, the group entered a greenhouse.

"A greenhouse?" Gray inquired.

"Why would a greenhouse be inside a clock?" Ulyo exclaimed.

"That's as far as you go, cretins." Angel declared.

"Angel…" Gray growled. "I'll take her."

"Any chances of winning?" Ulyo asked.

"Perhaps." Gray shrugged, only to receive a slap upside the head from the water mage.

"Just don't die." Ulyo sighed and the group pressed forward.

"Boring." Angel yawned. "I have to fight you again?"

"I discovered an intruder." Klodoa declared, his attack having stopped the group in their tracks.

"We're not letting you people get any higher than this." Brain II promised.

"Can you handle him, Gajeel?" Ulyo turned to the Steel Dragon Slayer.

"Who do you think you're talking to?" Gajeel snorted. "Since you call yourself Brain II," he turned to Brain II. "That means you're the leader of the new Oracion Seis, right? Get outta here, all of you!"

"Elfman, grab Natsu." Ulyo gave the order. "We're leaving."

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.