Chapter 5
Fated Showdown
On the stellanium pools, Swan, Erza, and Asuna glared at each other, then engaged in a clash of blades and armored kicks. She sent several energy waves at them, which were easily deflected by their blades, as well as dodged them, and even went so far as to use their powers to give them an edge.
"Let's finish this!" declared the Lightning Flash.
"With pleasure," agreed the requip mage.
But Swan was prepared for them, causing the swords to fall to the ground with a powerful sonic blast, then sent them back towards a wall with a powerful kick. At the same time, Doll ordered Francois and Catelynn to attack Gray, Juvia, and Kirito. It was a fierce struggle for them, even though their opponent tried everything they could to make sure that they'd be taken down in a heartbeat. Suddenly, the water mage took a blow headed for a young girl, causing the ice maker to finally snap, even as Doll praised Caitlynn.
"You'll pay for that," growled the Black Swordsman.
Meanwhile, Wendy, Carla, Ruby, and Yang fought against Gapri, who was still using his speed to try and bring them down. The struggle was intense, but although the enchantments were powerful, they had to find a counter source. The dragon slayer tried to use a powerful burst of sky dragon magic, but she was still struck by her.
"It's almost over! Time to hear the final buzzer!" cried the speed demon.
But Carla had a plan. She waited for Gapri to get closer to them, so that they would finally defeat him, by staying united. Once she reached three, all four girls managed to catch him off guard, then sent him crashing to the ground.
"You're already done!" shouted Yang, and she unleashed a fierce combo that caused him to explode into nothing but dust.
When Gapri fell, Gray and Kirito unleashed their team combo against Doll, hammering into him with everything they had.
"Impossible!" he gasped.
"No one hurts my friends, and lives to tell the tale!" snapped Kirito.
"As for why I'm still standing, my ice is stronger than your fire. And lucky for me, your little play things seemed to be cursed," added Gray.
Doll was enraged. He ordered Caitlynn and Francois to attack them, forcing them to defend themselves. They crashed against the Altair Bar, just as Juvia awoke from unconsciousness.
"Juvia, help us," called Kirito, who endured thanks to his Saiyan Soul.
"Yeah, you're right!" she agreed, then destroyed both dolls, while also making sure not to harm Gray by accident.
He was pleased to see that he was still alive, ust as Doll dropped to his knees.
"Get him!" he said.
"Gladly!" replied Gray, and struck him down with Ice Excalibur.
Without wasting a second, Kirito attained his Nephilim Soul, and with Yamato in hand, cut down Doll with Judgment Cut.
"You were not worthy as my opponent," said the Dark Knight, as he sheathed the blade that Vergil used.
Doll exploded into nothingness as well, and his heart was taken by Sephiroth, which gave him even greater strength.
"Juvia, you okay?" Gray asked the water mage.
"Yes," she replied, just as Kirito tossed him some extra clothes for him to put on.
"Oh, thanks, Kirito. I appreciate it," he sighed, and quickly put them on.
Luckily the dark knight turned to Juvia, as he quietly left them alone.
"It was my honor," he murmured, not wanting to disrupt their moment.
Back at the Stellanium Pools, Erza, Asuna, and Swan still continued their brawl. Quickly diving into the water, the two friends swam away, while also dodging the morning stars. Suddenly they were caught by their rival, who began to give them a brutal beatdown, which they had to endure with all their being. Suddenly, Swan found that she had stumbled right into their trap.
"But how? There was no time?" she gasped.
"We took a little bit of inspiration from your foot work. We thought that we might give it a try as well," remarked Erza.
"You can try, but you lack my finesse!" scoffed Swan, and they clashed furiously.
Swan was aghast, until the requip mage began to swing her down towards the ground, with Grand Chariot. Their opponent was now defeated, which in turn allowed Asuna to cast a healing spell on her, restoring her to full strength.
"Thank you, Asuna," she said proudly.
"My pleasure," replied the Lightning Flash.
"Hmph… so the Three Stars have failed. But, at the very least, Sephiroth shall absorb their souls and gain their powers," sneered Ydoc, and he fled.
"Give Animus the Dragon Cry now, or you can watch this whole world die by Father's hand. His patience is no longer infinite," Nuno said insistently.
Sonya was about to protest, when Natsu, Happy, Leafa, Sora, Leafa, Asuka, and Yumi arrived.
"Okay, give it up right now!" they called.
"I'm afraid you're too late, you fools. Animus has won. Telling her to surrender the staff will be foolish" remarked the other boy.
And he was right, because Sonya suddenly began to feel strange, as if another presence was now in her being. Images flashed through her mind, until she soon realized the terrible truth.
"Your Majesty, are we the same?" she asked.
"I would have thought you would realize it sooner than this. It's time you faced the truth that you and I are one and the same," remarked Animus.
The revelation was too much for her to bear, as Leafa and Happy called to her. Suddenly, Sonya turned and blasted them with the Dragon Cry's power, and sent them flying back, although Asuka and Yumi endured the blast and were reduced to bikinis.
"Wait, just who are you really?" Natsu demanded angrily.
"If you must know, I'm Animus. And I am the Dragon's Soul that lives within Sonya," remarked the now changed Sonya.
"I don't know what you plan to do, but you're gonna pay for turning someone as innocent as Sonya into your puppet. But even still, I refuse to let this world die by your hands, Animus! There's no way we're letting you get off that easily!" Sora said angrily.
"You foolish boy. Igneel was no more than a whelp. Yes, he had the luxury of entering the most compatible body of a human. He was allowed to choose a dragon slayer. I, however, did not have the time to choose a vessel. I had to pick the nearest living human at the time, Sonya, who lay on the ground, gravely wounded. Because of this, I've never been able to leave her of my own free will. But the dragon Cry staff changes everything! For it's true purpose is to amplify its power! Freedom will be mine at last!" she explained, as her power skyrocketed.
"NO WAY IN HELL!" screamed Natsu, and he struck her furiously.
"It's you. You're the one that Igneel chose?" Animus asked venomously.
But Sonya quickly took control.
"Natsu, take it! Before it's too late!" she cried.
"Stop this, SONYA!" shouted Animus, but Natsu grabbed it just in time.
However, Zash arrived and grabbed hold of the staff.
"The Dragon Cry's power will be mine to wield!" he declared.
"That power is no one's!" shouted Leafa.
"Know your place, foolish girl!" barked Nuno, and he used the Life Fibers to bind her, Sora, Asuka, and Yumi to the wall with a simple wave of his hand.
With all distractions dealt with, Zash glared at Sonya, whom he sensed that Animus was in her being.
"I'm pleased to see you're here, Zash. However, it appears that our friend is most troubled by her own personal crisis of who she truly is. Sonya, or rather Animus, has served his purpose well, and now you can finally turn Fiore to ashes," he grinned.
"That would actually make me truly happy," replied Zash.
This made everyone shocked to hear those words.
"The Dragon Cry is a highly condensed form of Ethernano. Once it's been released, it will rain down more destructive power than a dozen etherian blasts, and as punishment for expelling me from my homeland, I'm going to wipe Fiore off the map forever! I'll show them the dark arts!" he declared.
"You are truly despicable, Zash! Not only do you wish Fiore gone, but you also tried to hurt someone that Cody loves dearly, Lucy Heartfilia!" cried Yumi, who broke free from her bonds.
Everyone else did the same, as the minister ordered Red Knife to attack them, then fled, howling with sadistic laughter.
"STOP!" cried Happy, but Red Knife stalked towards him.
"You leave Happy alone, you bad dog!" cried Sora, who stood firmly between the hellhound and Natsu's cat.
He attacked the beast while enduring its roar, giving Happy the perfect edge he needed to unleash a burst of fire from his mouth.
"Whoa, that was incredible, Happy!" Lucy and Cody said when they arrived, just as the little cat turned back to his original color.
"Yeah, thanks, you guys," replied the cat, and he fell into Asuka's arms, as she gently picked him up.
"Rest now, Happy," she said.
"You'll die for betraying me, Zash!" growled Animus, who spoke through Sonya.
"Sonya, what the heck? What's happening?" questioned the summoner.
A burst of darkness sent them flying back, but Cody caught her and carried her away. Animus had burst out in his true dragon form, covered in stellanium crystals.
"All of you will die!" he roared.
Lucy was surprised, as she watched the beast climb the tower after Zash, just as Natsu awoke.
"Look after the others, you guys," he said, and pursued them.
As Zash was ascending the spiral staircase of the tallest tower, Animus was now attacking in a blind fury, even as he evaded his crystalline claws.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Seems your current form lacks the appreciation for royal architecture," he said.
"Hand over the Dragon Cry at once!" growled Animus.
"You wanted this transformation, did you not? Your goal has already been achieved," remarked Zash.
"That's not true. What I desire is the ultimate freedom to do as I please!" howled Animus, who attacked in a blind fury.
"Then allow me to grant you that freedom! How very fortunate to have my help," grinned the former minister, and he used his Evil Eye on the changed Animus.
As the dragon fell, Zash told him that he had all the time to rampage all over Stella. However, Natsu, despite his confusion, was now climbing the tower. He suddenly saw Animus fall, but recovered and tried to attack him with a beam of pure star energy. Despite this, Zash continued unabated, knowing that his goal of destroying Fiore would be achieved. However, he still had another ace up his sleeve he needed to unveil.
"COME FORTH, QUARTUM SOLDIERS!" he shouted.
Many armored warriors awoke from their slumber, and began attacking the Fairy Tail members all over Stella, which sparked trouble for them.
"Well, this isn't looking too good," quipped Gray.
Juvia had to agree, and even Kirito had to share in her sentiment, just like everyone else who were with the others. They fought them with everything they had, but Wendy was struggling with all her might, even with Carla, Ruby, and Yang helping her.
"Quartum Soldiers, keep the fairies occupied until they die!" cackled Zash.
"Those are scary," shuddered Lucy.
"Sonya, what in the world are they?" Cody asked.
"Those are quartum soldiers. Zash's fourth generation dragon slayers," she replied.
"What!? Fourth Generation?" the couple asked in shock.
"He created an entire army of soldiers, using dragon slayer lacrimas," Sonya continued.
The soldiers charged at them, but Cody and Lucy were prepared.
"Open, gate of the archer! Sagittarius, come forth!" she cried.
She changed into her star dress as Sagittarius joined them, and they blasted the soldiers away with their arrows. Sensing their comrades' fight, the other members of Fairy Tail clashed with the beings, but they kept getting back up, as if they were unaffected by them. Suddenly, Natsu looked up as Animus continued his rampage.
"He's got it up there," he said.
The dragon slayer knew what he had to do, as Zash finally reached the top, where Sephiroth was watching with his arms over his chest, and Masamune at his side.
"I beseech thee, Dragon Cry! Unleash your divine power unto this world!" he called.
The sky was now covered in several emblems and symbols, which meant trouble for everyone.
"Those magic circles. What are they?" asked Queen Hisui.
"Must be the dragon cry. Hisui, we must evacuate everyone in Crocus immediately. We have to hurry. All of the dragon's fury and hatred, it's about to rain down upon the city," replied King Hisui.
All of Fairy Tail was shocked by what was happening above them. Were they too late?
"The time is upon us, O long departed dragons! Transform your anger into weapons of almighty destruction!" cried the former minister, and the Dragon Cry sent up another beam of power.
Below, Natsu was rushing up the stairs, with the angry Animus following him. He was blasted out, but Happy caught him, with Sora following in his Divine Equestrian Form. he was relieved, as they flew up to the top, where they saw Zash and Sephiroth, but the changed king followed after him. At first, the madman was pleased to know that his plan was successful, but the darkness soon took over and began to consume him. Zash was no more, as he let out a loud scream, and his blackened soul was immediately absorbed by Sephiroth, which meant that Animus was free, just as the group landed on the floor.
"What is all that?" they asked.
"I think it's the dragon cry, and it's going totally nutso for some reason," replied Happy.
"Unfortunately, there's no point in stopping it now. Its power now belongs with Animus," countered the One-Winged Angel.
"Sephiroth is correct, you fools! You shall not touch it!" agreed Animus.
"Is that so!?" argued Natsu, and he used his power to set his mouth ablaze.
But the force sent Happy flying from the shockwave, which caused the mad dragon to attack Natsu. He dodged the strike, and the two of them raced down the tower, with Sora following after them. Animus saw the truth, about Natsu being a dragon slayer, which only fueled his bloodlust and vengeance against him for the deaths of countless dragons. Enraged, he attacked him, hoping to finally put an end to the very dragon slayer that brought destruction to the flying beasts. Both adversaries collided with each other, causing a massive explosion, which also destroyed the tower. When the smoke cleared, Natsu was now impaled on one of Animus' horns, leaving Lucy horrified along with Happy, who also looked in horror, and called to his very friend. Animus, believing that Natsu was slain, cast him off his horn, and watched him land on the ground. He then devoured the dragon cry.
"DRAGON CRY! LET EVERY DRAGON'S ANGER FLOW THROUGH ME TO DESTROY EVERYTHING!" screamed the enraged beast.
The emblems turned bright crimson, and powerful bursts of fire rained down upon every world in the Realm of Light.
"The time has come for me to destroy this cursed universe along with every living being, so that Kingdom Hearts can at last be mine! The era of Dragon God Animus has now begun, and I will build my utopia!" declared Animus.
"Please stop this, Your Majesty!" cried Sonya.
"It's no use, fool," scoffed Sephiroth, and he blasted her with Giga Flare, sending her flying back.
"This world's end, along with all good things, has now been decreed. As it was written in the Book of the Stone. Every soul will be reborn in the perfect utopia that Animus shall build with his own power, just as he wants. However, he's grown weary of this war between humans and dragons, and will now become the true Dragon God. The darkness has given him true freedom, banishing the kindness that he felt was a weakness. The future shall come to pass," he explained, while Happy, Lucy, and their friends wept over Natsu's fallen form.
"Animus, you bastard! You caused this! You became a lost cause! You'll pay for everything you've done! PREPARE TO DIE!" screamed Sora, as he felt Vanitas fully take over.
Cody also felt Berserker awaken, just as Ydoc joined Sephiroth and Animus, while Nuno fled into the dark corridor. But then Lucy's tears fell into Natsu's mouth, and memories of his time with Fairy Tail flashed through his mind. Some good, some bad, and some filled with adventure. But the one person he felt a strong connection with was Lucy. His eyes snapped open, and he soon rose up.
"So, Natsu Dragneel, the chosen Dragon Slayer has come back from death, thanks to the strong bond he felt with the girl who loves the Son of Xehanort, now embracing his destiny as Berserker, the demon that his father placed within his being, so that his spirit could awaken within him," scoffed Ydoc.
"Shut up. Cody and Sora are not as weak as you. They are stronger than you could imagine! We are family! We protect each other! THEY ARE OUR GREATEST STRENGTH! AND THAT'S WHAT WE FIGHT FOR, AND WE'RE GONNA END YOU!" howled Natsu, as he began to be engulfed in fire.
"EVERYTHING WILL DIE!" roared Animus, just as Sora and Cody were able to subdue their dark sides just in time, and they all charged at each other.
Now, they fought not just for the fate of all people, but for the safety of all worlds around them, including Kingdom Hearts. However, Animus, despite being powerful, attempted to blast them into nothingness, with Stellar Flare. All the Stellanium exploded into nothing, and the mad dragon thought they were dead, only to be proven wrong. Natsu had endured it, and was now in a half dragon form, with Sora in his Ultra Divine Lucian Harmony Form, and Cody in his Divine Equestrian Form, even though they still had their own clothes on. The revelation was shocking to him, as Natsu unleashed a loud roar, then sent Animus up into the air with a mighty punch. They followed after him, as Animus received the most brutal beating he had never before endured.
"Now I see. I know who you truly are. You are neither human nor dragon, while these two who are human have become something close to true gods. You're the destroyer of all. E.N…" Animus tried to say.
"Who cares!? It doesn't matter what you call me! Because I'll throw it all away! If it means that I can save my family!" argued Natsu.
"Tonight! You shall vanish into darkness, and never return!" Sora and Cody added in agreement.
Animus soon tried to attack them, by absorbing all the dragon souls into himself.
"IF WE DON'T HAVE THEM BY OUR SIDE! OUR LIVES WOULDN'T MEAN ANYTHING!" they cried out together.
Natsu and Animus then struck each other, while Sora jumped on his back, and performed his Climhazzard attack on the beast. The distraction worked to the dragon slayer's advantage, as Cody prepared to call forth a powerful force of warriors from another realm.
"Come to me, Knights of the Round! Help Natsu Dragoneel end Animus, once and for all!" he said.
All thirteen nights appeared, and managed to wound Animus even further, and a massive explosion erupted into the sky above, then to the ground below. Animus was now beaten. Out came the Dragon Cry, which landed on the ground, now truly disempowered. Finally, Sonya picked it up, just as the remainder of Team SKYYYLAARC came to the sight of the explosions, where they saw Lucy and Happy with Asuka, Leafa, and Yumi. Then they all watched as the staff was now shattered into tiny fragments, and the red circles faded away. As for the Quartum Soldiers, they all fell to the ground, defeated. Fairy Tail's mission was finally complete, and Erza looked up with a proud smile.
"The magic circles have disappeared," said Hisui.
"You did it, Fairy Tail. You saved this universe once again," praised Toma.
The sun slowly rose up, as Natsu, Sora, and Cody pulled themselves out from beneath the rubble.
"There they are!" Lucy said with relief.
But although Natsu was shaken up by what happened, Sora and Cody changed back into their normal forms, as they looked at the celestial mage, who was happy to know that they lived.
"Lucy, I know this might sound strange, but we saw Natsu take on a form that looked half-human, half-dragon. But, even if it sounds ridiculous to you, just know that he'll always be the same Natsu Dragneel you respect, despite his personality and demeanor," Cody said.
"Just like how I love you, Cody," she replied, and hugged him tightly.
Natsu, however, was very weary, and he collapsed against them, which did lead to Sora casting Curaja on him.
"It feels strange. I'm starting to fade away. I'm dying," shuddered Animus.
"No, you shall become a part of me, Animus," remarked Sephiroth, and he absorbed him into his being, while Sonya watched with contempt in her eyes.
"Sephiroth, while I'm grateful to Animus for how he guided me for so long, what you're doing is disgracing him for what he once was," she said to him.
But she looked at the weakened Animus, and thanked him for everything he'd done from before, making the now changed dragon, free of the darkness, see her smile.
"For the first time, I've seen a Dragon Cry, I'll miss you, friend. Farewell," Sonya said sadly, as the former king turned fire breathing reptile faded away into nothingness, while Sephiroth laughed coldly.
"Pathetic. In the end, Animus was too consumed by his own bloodlust, and paid the price for it," he said.
"You're wrong. I know now without a doubt, Animus had good in him!" remarked Sora.
"I see. Then how will you prove it, Sora? Will you still try to kill me?" the One-Winged Angel asked mockingly.
"It's true I still want you dead, yes, but revenge doesn't bring the dead back. I know that now, but I will always find a way to defeat you," he answered his enemy.
(Play the Original One-Winged Angel Orchestral version from the Final Fantasy 7 Reunion Album for this battle)
Sonya, despite her dislike of seeing any life being taken, was surprised to hear Sora fully admit that revenge would only make those who had passed away feel nothing but sorrow. Everyone stood back, even Natsu, who was still exhausted, as the battle between Keyblade Master and Former Legendary Soldier had now begun. Sora and Sephiroth then charged at each other, their weapons at the ready, and a single clash meant the fight had begun.
"Estuans interius
Ira vehementi
Estuans interius
Ira vehementi
Sephiroth
Sephiroth
Estuans interius
Ira vehementi
Estuans interius
Ira vehementi
Sephiroth
Sephiroth
Sors immanis
Et inanis
Sors immanis
Et inanis
Estuans interius
Ira vehementi
Estuans interius
Ira vehementi
Sephiroth
Sephiroth"
Though Sephiroth was aware of Sora's strengths and follies, he was fully aware of his bonds with those around him, as the clash became even more intense. Luckily, Cody gently placed his hand on Lucy's shoulder, despite what was going on before them.
"It'll be okay, Lucy. If anyone can defeat him, it's definitely Sora. That's why I've become aware of Sephiroth being a cruel and sadistic monster. He has no dreams and no honor within him," he said.
"Y-you're right, Cody. I may hate him for all that he's done, but I'm gonna do the smart thing and not try to fight him," replied the celestial mage.
"It's a good plan, Lucy. I'd rather not get skewered by his sword anytime now," agreed Natsu, as Sora unleashed his own Omnislash against the One-Winged Angel.
"Veni, veni, venias,
Ne me mori facias
Veni, veni, venias,
Ne me mori facias
Veni, veni, venias,
Ne me mori facias
Veni, veni, venias,
Ne me mori facias
Veni, veni, venias, Gloriosa
Ne me mori facias Generosa
Veni, veni, venias, Gloriosa
Ne me mori facias Generosa
Veni, veni, venias, Gloriosa
Ne me mori facias Generosa
Veni, veni, venias, Gloriosa
Ne me mori facias Generosa
Sephiroth
Sephiroth
SEPHIROTH!"
"What is it that drives you?" he asked, after he was defeated again.
"The people I cherish," Sora remarked.
"You have no bonds anywhere," scoffed Sephiroth.
"ENOUGH!" he barked.
"Sora! Please!" cried Asuka, resting her hand on his shoulder.
"The only reason I have to fight has always been in my heart… and you will not change that. I will never serve Jenova's legacy!" the spiky brunette said, pointing his Keyblade at his most vile enemy.
However, Sephiroth brushed the weapon aside.
"Yet my shadow is burned into your heart," he said, then slowly approached him to leave a message, just like before.
"We'll meet again, Sora. I'll keep coming back– as long as you are driven by vengeance over Nehelenia's death," the One-Winged Angel added, then vanished into the dark corridor with a quiet chuckle.
"No thanks. I've found my closure with Usagi's aunt," Sora told himself.
Suddenly, Happy pointed to the Dragon Cry fragments, which transformed into a ribbon. That flew off into the sky. No one knew why this staff was once a ribbon. Then they all looked at Sonya, who stood off to one side, while Ydoc vanished in disgust.
"It seems that we must contact Zeref," he murmured, as he entered the Dark Corridor.
"Animus… he's gone. Although in reality, I had lost him a long time ago. He disappeared into the darkness of anger, fear, and deception. He caused so much pain, his people suffered terribly. Maybe he was always evil, but for so long I thought of him as my own flesh and blood. He was using me this entire time. I know that now, but it made me feel happy to know that I'd never feel alone. I wish that things would've been different between us. That we cared for and supported each other unconditionally. I wish that we'd been truly close. That we would've laughed like you do" she said.
"I know, but now Sephiroth has made his soul become part of his power, and purged him from his being, just like how Vassago did with the Amazon Trio, before Nehelenia died by his hand. Even though I despise him, her death as well as Vassago's existence ending, meant that I could revive the Amazoness Quartet, after Ami gave me the perfect idea to bring them back with the Amazon Stone fragments she collected, which their hearts merged with. Thanks to the power of waking, they were brought back, and fully awakened as Sailor Guardians of the four asteroids, Ceres, Juno, Vesta, and Pallas. However, VesVes started to openly flirt with me, which would sometimes make Minako jealous of her, but she's a good person, just as you are. And now, I have the biggest family in almost any universe and dimension I've ever had," replied Sora.
Natsu and Happy had to agree with him. Though the Dragon Cry was now gone, and Animus' soul now part of Sephiroth, the time to heal Stella had come at last. Although it would take a long time, the Three Stars, who had once been in league with Zash and Animus, were now helping with the reconstruction of their now ruined kingdom, after Sora healed them with Curaga. As for Sonya, she had now become Queen of Stella, and ruled with kindness and compassion in her heart, so that the corruption would never again plague the people. Finally, Team SKYYYLAARC and Team Natsu returned to Corvus to report that their mission was a success, until Happy breathed fire after eating the fruit. This in turn led to Sora apologizing, while Yang grabbed the cat and berated him for being disrespectful to King Toma and Queen Hisui. As for the soldiers of that kingdom, they mourned the loss of their fallen comrades, hoping that no new evil would rise up and destroy Fiore as Zash once tried to do. But the Warriors of Light soon came to Fairy Tail and celebrated the end of Animus, despite Sephiroth absorbing his blackened soul into himself, along with Zash's, while also toasting to family.