Chapter 168

A Puppet's Cut Strings

Imitatia swung her blade at Natsu and his team, forcing everyone to scatter while dodging the incoming blow, the impact of her blade making a small crater on the ground from the swing alone.

"Outta the way, Michelle!" Natsu ordered.

"Don't you dare come closer to Master Brain," warned Imitiatia. "If you turn around and leave, then I'll let you live. But you don't, then I will be forced to take your lives."

"You're in no position to be saying that!" barked Elfman. "I mean, first you trick us, and now this? You're not the man I thought you were!"

"Let us through this instant!" said Coco. "We're stopping the Infinity Clock right here and now!"

"Imitatia, make sure that you keep them at bay," ordered Brain, as he stood in front of the sphere. "I'll need more time to gain control."

"As you wish, Master Brain," acknowledged Imitatia.

"Elfman and I are gonna try to keep her distracted," Natsu said to the others. "While we're doing that, the rest of you try to stop Brain."

"You got it!" said Lisanna and Coco.

Lucy remained silent, still feeling conflicted about Imitatia, as Natsu and Elfman charged at Imitatia, while Lisanna and Coco tried to make their way up the stairs to Brain. Natsu unleashed a Fire Dragon Roar while Elfman jumped into the air, using his Take Over Magic on his arm, changing it to its Iron Bull form. Imitatia dodged the torrent of flames with ease, and as Elfman came down swinging, she vaulted right over him and gave him a powerful dropkick right onto his back. Elfman was sent him plummeting to the ground and right in Lisanna and Coco's path, forcing them to jump out of the way at the last second. The two almost fell off the stairs, but Elfman was able to catch them in the nick of time using his Iron Bull Arm.

"Are you guys okay?!" Natsu called out.

"W-We're fine," said Lisanna. "But that was close!"

"Th-That's eight points," squeaked Coco nervously.

"Be careful, Natsu! She'll aim right for your vitals with deadly accuracy!" Elfman warned as he pulled the two up. "Remember, she took you out with a single blow last time!"

"You don't have to remind me! I know!" said Natsu.

"Human bodies are so interesting," Imitatia spoke as she summoned her shield, its blades spinning rapidly. "No matter how strong or brawny they are, all it takes is one strike to their vital organs, and they'll be incapacitated with intense pain in seconds."

"What the heck's with you?" Natsu wondered, feeling a bit disturbed. "Are you really the ditzy, crybaby, overeating Michelle we used to know? Because you sure don't sound like her."

"That was nothing more but a facade to infiltrate your guild," said Imitatia. "As I said before, my name is Imitatia, a member of the Neo-Oración Seis."

Elfman was now angry. "How dare you?!" he roared. "I'll make you pay for saying that, you liar!"

He jumped straight towards Imitatia and morphed his arm into the likeness of the claw Rustyrose used back on Tenrou Island. By extending it, he swung with the intent to crush his enemy, but Imitatia was quick as well as strong, blocking it with her shield and then counterattacking with her sword, slicing Elfman right at his right pectoral. But Natsu was just as quick to capitalize, taking advantage of her lowered guard.

"I can cause someone intense pain too, y'know!" the fire dragon slayer snarled as he ignited his fist. "How do you like this?!"

With a powerful swing of his fire-coated fist, he decked Imitatia square in the jaw, sending her flying headfirst into the rocky wall. Imitatia got back up, her neck dangerously twisted, and her head unnaturally bent upwards. However, with a sickening crack of her neck bones, she snapped her head back into place, appearing to be unharmed.

"It's no use. Attack me all you'd like, but my body is incapable of feeling any pain," Imitatia spoke with an emotionless stare. "There's nothing you can do to make me yield or forget my purpose. In other words, I won't be fazed by anything, not even ridiculous human emotions."

"If that's true, then how come you've got that look in your eye?" Natsu asked.

"What look?" asked Imitatia.

"Don't play stupid with me. When people fight for something they believe in, they always have a kind of brightness in their eyes, even bad guys," explained Natsu. "It's different than what you've got now. You look more "spaced out" and confused."

Imitatia's eyes narrowed. "You're trying to confuse me," she denied as she brandished her blade. "But my heart will not waver! I'm doing all of this for my big sister!"

This made Lucy flinch as she brandished her whip, ready to defend herself despite her reluctance.

Natsu slammed his fist into his palm, the fires of his magic blazing through them. "Yeah, well, you sure could have fooled us!" he snarled. "Happy's got a theory, and if he's right, we've got to beat you and that Brain guy to shut this hunk of tin down! So get ready for a beatdown!"

"Let's do this!" Elfman roared.

"We're with you, Natsu!" agreed Lisanna.

Natsu took a deep breath and unleashed another Fire Dragon Roar at Imitatia, which she blocked with her shield.

Elfman jumped upward once more as he used his magic, too. "TAKE OVER MAGIC: BALCUSAS!"

He changed into a monstrous and armored creature in a flash of light, similar to what Rusty Rose used back on Tenrou Island. But as Elfman attacked with his claws, Imitatia avoided them, and the vines around her legs and arms sprung to life, binding and constricting his body tightly. Then the vines began to spark and crackle as Elfman let out a roar in agony while he hit the ground writhing and twisting.

"Those who are shocked by my Cilice will be subjected to overwhelming and debilitating pain in all vital spots!" said Imitatia as she landed on the ground.

Lisanna, using her Animal Soul: Cat form, let out a yowl as she went on the attack swiping at her furiously with her claws, only for Imitatia to avoid them all and give her a sharp kick in the gut and bashing her with her shield.

Natsu brought his hands together and conjured a giant ball of flame in them.

"FIRE DRAGON: BRILLIANT FLAME!"

He then threw it straight at Imitatia, appearing to hit the mark as it exploded. However, Imitatia's vines cut straight through the flames and constricted around him, too, subjecting him to the same torture as Elfman.

Using her Free Run magic, Coco dashed up the side of a rocky wall that curved upside down to gain momentum. She then dropped down and attacked with a flurry of kicks, while Imitatia blocked them with her shield.

"I can't believe that you'd betray and use Lucy like this!" Coco cried angrily. "All for a stupid mission?!"

Imitatia responded by pushing Coco off and bashing her right in the stomach with a swing of her sword. "I couldn't care less about the orders I was given or something as heartless as this "mission" you speak of. I'm only following my heart and nothing more," she said coldly. "While it is filled with pain and sorrow, but those are what compels me to fight, giving me the determination to keep going. Magic is all about heart, and the power of my determination is second to none."

"Michelle..." murmured Lucy to herself. "What could you possibly want to make you do all of this for my sake?"

Just then, everyone in Natsu's group heard a familiar voice in their minds.

"Hey, Natsu! Is everything OK? What going on over there?"

It was Warren using his telepathy.

"Not so good," said Natsu. "Michelle's blocking our way, and that Brain guy's here, too!"

"Well, you better hurry up and beat them!" said Warren. "Because if they gain control of the Infinity Clock, it's game over! We can't let them win!"

"Tell me something I don't know! They aren't exactly making things easy for us over here!" Natsu barked. He then returned his attention to Imitatia. "So, you said you're doing this for Lucy, huh? If you really cared about her, you wouldn't be fighting against us like this! You betrayed her, but she still wants to believe and forgive you. Can't you understand that?"

Brain then appeared along with Klodoa. "There's no need to confuse the issue," Brain. "Imitatia is simply taking that which she once lost. Isn't that right, my dear?"

Imitatia clicked her tongue in response, and before Natsu could try to reason with her some more, she threw her shield straight at him, forcing him to dodge.

"I know that my deepest wish will come true!" Imitiatia proclaimed as she continued her assault. "Master Brain will make my dream a reality, and big sister will be happy! After all, she and I were always together before, and once we gain control of the Infinity Clock, she and I will stay together for the rest of time! For all of eternity!"

Then, as she reappeared behind Natsu, preparing to strike him down, a whip made from a mysterious blue matter cracked, snapping right at her hip. As Imitatia skid back from the force, she, Natsu, and the others were surprised to see that the whip came from Lucy, whose eyes were not only filled with sadness but also with anger.

"You're such a liar! Why would you even make up something like that when no one believes a word you say anymore?!" Lucy snapped. "You lied about being my sister, so why should we trust you now?!"

"It's the truth, Big Sister!" insisted Imitatia. "I was there! Back when you were little!"

Lucy then continued to attack Imitatia with her whip, her eyes filling with tears of emotion, while Imitatia blocked with her shield.

"Then how come I don't remember seeing you back in my childhood?!" Lucy ranted tearfully. "Do you have any idea how happy I was when I met you after my dad died?! I already lost him along with my mom! I was already heartbroken, and when you came, I thought I have someone left of my family left!" She stopped attacking, her eyes now overflowing with tears. "Everyone trusted you! I trusted you! But then... YOU LIED! NOT JUST TO EVERYONE IN FAIRY TAIL, BUT ME TOO!"

Natsu and the others were surprised by the blonde's emotional outburst and felt a bit sorry for her. Even Imitatia was caught off guard.

Lucy then lowered her whip. "But even after everything that's happened, I still want to try and help you, Michelle!" she cried. "If you really care about me, if you want us to be together so badly, then stop fighting for the Oracion Seis! We were always together back when we had fun with Fairy Tail, so why bother striving for something you already have? Come back to us, Michelle!"

Imitatia was hesitant, her eyes now wavering as she wondered what to do. However, Klodoa spoke up.

"You mustn't let her petty words weaken your resolve, Imitatia," the talking skull said. "Remember, anyone that stands in your way is the enemy."

Imitatia flinched as she clenched her sword in vexation.

"Michelle! Please! Don't listen to them!" begged Lucy. "You don't want this! I know you don't!"

"Destroy her," ordered Brain. "Unless you want your greatest wish to be taken from you."

Then, Imitatia pounced at Lucy, and before the blonde could react, she threw her shield and bashed her right into her stomach hard, sending Lucy flying across the room and tumbling to the ground.

"Lucy!" Elfman, Lisanna, and Coco cried.

Lucy coughed as she held her stomach in agony, unable to get up after the impact.

Natsu was now angry, his fists burning with flames filled with revenge. "All right, Michelle. Now you've crossed the line," he spoke with a growl. "I don't give a crap who you are now. For now, you're in my way, and I'm not only shutting this thing down, but you're gonna pay for what you've done!"

Imitatia gazed at Natsu, wearing an expressionless look as she prepared to fight.

"Oh boy! It looks like they're going to put on a show for us, Master!" Klodoa cackled with glee. "This will be a treat to watch!"

"Indeed," Brain chuckled. "Do not fail me, Imitatia. Remember that you are a member of the Neo-Oracion Seis. I am the only one who can make your prayer come true. If you wish to make it a reality, then you must show your loyalty to me. Now, finish them off. You need only think about your wish, an eternity to spend with your dearest sister. Do so, and I will reward you for your service."

Imitatia shot forward, once again resolved to fight. Natsu unleashed a blast of flames with the intent to incinerate her, but at the last second, Imitatia elegantly bent backward, slipping and skidding underneath the flames. As she shot past Natsu, she gave him a slice with her sword and then blew him away with a throw of her shield. While it did cause damage, Natsu still refused to give up, as he righted himself while in the air and landed safely on the ground in a crouch.

Multiple thorny vines then materialized from Imitatia's body. "Now, my Cilice, entrance him! Rip this fool to shreds!"

The vines shot forward at her command, each one wrapping around his arms, legs, and midsection. Natsu struggled to get free as the binds dug into his skin, but he couldn't. The vines then suddenly dropped, slamming the fire dragon slayer straight to the ground.

"Michelle! Please stop!" begged Lucy while wincing in agony. "Stop hurting him!"

But Imitatia didn't as she continued to assault Natsu with her vines, but then a giant sword and flurry of swipes slashed their way through the vines setting Natsu free, while a blue ball of fur shot straight into Imitatia, bashing her on the cheek. The sword and the swipes came from a familiar black exceed with pants wielding a sword, a light blue exceed wearing clothing with sharp, long claws, and the blue ball was a third exceed with blue fur. Natsu and the others recognized them immediately.

"Happy! Lily!" Lisanna cried out gratefully.

"And Samuel, too!" Coco spoke happily.

"Just in time," gasped Natsu.

Imitatia seeing Natsu getting back up dashed toward him with her sword raised, but Natsu quickly intercepted it with a mighty fist of flame, resuming his battle with the woman.

Happy went over to help Lucy to her feet. "Are you all right, Lucy?" he asked.

"Yeah, but how did you find us?" asked Lucy.

"We were looking around for Willy, but we weren't able to find him," explained Happy. "Then, we heard that you were having a bit of trouble from Warren, so I insisted we come and help you. On the way, we ran into Samuel, and he came along with us."

"How annoying! How the heck are these fools so stubborn?!" complained Klodoa. "I knew we should have killed them when we had a chance!"

"It doesn't matter, Klodoa," Brain spoke calmly. "No matter how many maggots swarm around, it's already too late. They have zero chance of victory."

But Brain would soon be wrong, for right then, Natsu's group heard Nab via telepathy.

"Listen up, everyone! We got some good news! We found a way to stop the clock and to stop the spread of Real Nightmare!"

Everyone's ears perked up at this.

"Are you serious?!" Lisanna asked hopefully.

"Yeah, I'll go ahead and let the Archbishop explain it to you," said Warren. "Here he is now."

"Wait, the archbishop's with him?" Coco gasped. "You mean he's awake?

Then, an older man's voice took over.

"Listen very closely. As you're all well aware, the Infinity Castle is amassing a large amount of power to sustain its magic known as Real Nightmare," the voice said. "However, there are two ways to stop it from functioning. The first is to incapacitate the people who branded their seal upon it, and the second has to do with the chains extending from it. They serve two purposes; not only extending the Real Nightmare spell into the earth but also absorb the magic energy as well as the memories they can."

"In other words, we can do both at the same time!" cut in Warren. "Byro and the others have already started breaking the chains, and Erza's helping them too while spreading the word. We have to help them finish it!"

"Hey, Sammy? What do you say we give them a hand?" asked Pantherlily.

"I'm with you, Brother," agreed Samuel. "Let see who can cut the most chains! Whoever does will be the victor!"

"You're on!" smirked Pantherlily.

The two exceeds took off, leaving the area. Back with Natsu and Imitatia, Natsu was holding his own against her, much to the woman's surprise and amazement.

"You're still not giving up?! How do you have such tenacity?!" demanded Imitatia. "Do you honestly think you and your friends have a chance?!"

Natsu grinned. "I heard everything the old man said, so you bet I do! There ain't no way I'm giving up now!"

"How pathetic. Clinging to such a feeble hope," scoffed Brain. "Go ahead and waste all of your power. You can't possibly hope to win."

At that moment, the sound of blaring beeping sound was heard that came from the sphere, followed by a computerized voice.

"WARNING. FIVE OF THE SEALS HAVE BEEN ERASED. NOW ONLY ONE REMAINS."

"What?! It can't be!" Klodoa cried, deeply shocked. "The other members have been defeated?! This is terrible!"

"All right! Now, all we gotta do now is beat you guys, and it's all over!" Natsu grinned while cracking his knuckles.

"You really are a stubborn fool," seethed Imitatia. "How can you be so foolish and single-minded? All you've done is delay the inevitable. Overall, you've accomplished nothing. It's too late to change anything."

"Seven years ago, you and the rest of your friends stopped us from achieving our goal back with Nirvana," said Brain. "However, history will not repeat itself. I will personally see to it that I send you all to oblivion!"

He held up Klodoa on high as the crystal in his mouth began to glow, gathering magic power.

"NOW! DARK RONDO!"

A powerful shot of dark green magic erupted from the crystal shot into the air and then exploded into a shower that rained down on everything in the area. Everyone in the area desperately dodged the incoming attacks, trying to avoid the explosions as they hit the ground. Even Imitatia was forced to dodge. But despite avoiding attacks, the explosions were strong enough to blow them all away, all while Brain cackled with glee. He soon ceased his assault and took a look at all of the bodies sprawled out before him.

"Well done, Master! You sure showed those brats who's boss!" said Klodoa. "But I say you should finish them off once and for all before they have a chance to recover!"

Brain looked around at the battered bodies until his eyes fell upon a particular blonde. "I agree," he said with a dark grin. "But I think I'd much rather take my time making them suffer. And I think that I'll start with that one."

He pointed Klodoa and pointed it straight towards her, preparing to unleash a Dark Rondo. Natsu struggled to sit up and saw Brain, realizing what he was going to do.

"Lucy! Look out!" Natsu yelled.

Lucy looked up in time to see Brain fire his Dark Rondo straight at her, only for someone to step in front of her and deflect the attack. That, someone, was Imitatia, much to the surprise of Lucy and the others.

"Master Brain, just what do you think you're doing?!" demanded Imitatia.

"I should be the one asking you that," Brain countered. "For what reason did you block my Dark Rondo?"

"Because you were targeting my Big Sister!" Imitatia snapped. "You're supposed to help us be together forever, not kill her!"

"And why would that matter?" asked Brain coldly. "She's going to die anyway along with the rest of these maggots either by the chaos and destruction I'll bring using the Infinity Castle or by my hand. Whatever the reason suits me just fine. Now that I'm the only seal remaining, the last thing I need to worry about is one little girl."

"But... my prayer! You said you would make it come true for me!" protested Imitatia, unease beginning to fill her face. "You said that you would make my dream a reality!"

"I still can," said Brain. "I can make it so that you two will always be together. All I need to do is kill her. If I do, then you can have her all to yourself. She won't complain or go against you if she's lifeless. You two will be together forever once I take her life and leave you her body. She'll be the perfect companion for someone like you."

This made Imitatia's eyes grow wide with horror. "N-No, you wouldn't," she murmured. "You couldn't. That's not what I want!"

Brain could only smile darkly as he aimed with Klodoa again, but without hesitation, Imitatia threw her shield, intercepting him and stood bravely in front of Lucy.

"So you intend to defy me, do you?" Brain asked. "I would have thought you'd be pleased for what I'm doing for you. After all, you had no qualms about hurting your "Big Sister," did you not?"

"I never wanted to hurt Big Sister Lucy, much less kill her!" Imitatia yelled. "All I ever wanted was to be with her, and I thought that you would help make my wish come true! But you lied to me! You had no intention of fulfilling it at all! You don't even care what happens to me! So, now, I'll make you pay for your betrayal! I won't let anyone hurt my Big Sister! Not even you!"

"M-Michelle," murmured Lucy, surprised by this turn of events.

"Well, this is quite unfortunate," sighed Klodoa. "But I suppose it's to be expected."

"How pathetic," agreed Brain with a scowl. "Imitatia, as much as a good soldier you've been to me, your role has now come to an end and no longer of use to me. Return to the trash heap from whence you came."

As Imitatia shot towards Brain, raising her sword, the man then switched Klodoa to his other hand and held out two fingers, firing a Dark Capriccio at Imitatia, piercing straight through her chest. Natsu and the others could only stare in horror as Imitatia's body fell to the ground.

"MICHELLE!" Lucy shrieked, her eyes filled with horror and shock.

As she fell, Imitatia looked across to Lucy, her eyes rapidly losing the life in them as tears trickled down on them. "Big Sister... I'm sorry..." she managed to choke out. "And... I love you..."

Her body hit the floor with a thud, appearing to be lifeless. Brain then walked up and stomped on his foot right on her head, grinding it into the ground. "Filthy piece of garbage," he spat with a sneer.

"Now, Now, Master. There's no need for that," Klodoa mockingly chided. "Now you've got your shoes all dirty."

Everyone was now angry with Brain, most especially Natsu and Lucy.

Natsu shot to his feet, his magic power flaring with rage, and gave Brain a mighty right cross, smack on his cheek. "Do you really think that other people's suffering is something to laugh at?!" he snapped angrily. "Then you better get ready to laugh because things are gonna get real funny for you, pal!"

Brain staggered from the blow but appeared to be unfazed as he wiped his cheek. "Then, come try your best," he sneered with confidence. "I've been waiting for my chance to crush you after you defeated me, Salamander. Oh, and I wouldn't be sad about the thing. I've saved her the horror for what I'm about to do to you. I may be the only seal that remains, but it's only a matter of time before the Infinity Clock, and its powers will soon be mine!"

"No way! We ain't gonna let that happen!" Natsu roared.

"Count us in, too, Natsu!" said Elfman. "We'll help you take down this guy!"

"Yeah! He's the final member left, so we have to take him down, quickly!" said Lisanna. "If we all work together, we can beat him!"

"Yeah! It's time we give this jerk some payback for what he did to Michelle!" said Happy.

"And to what he did to the Archbishop and the rest of Zentopia!" said Coco.

Natsu and his group faced Brain, determined to take him down and get revenge for his crimes.

"Oh? And do you honestly think that you can defeat me in your current states?" Brain taunted. "Perhaps, you seem to have forgotten who you're talking to. I'm Brain, the head of the Neo-Oracion Seis, its most powerful member. Thanks to my new power, I'm unstoppable, and you maggots can't possibly hope to defeat me!"

At that moment, there was the sound of piercing flesh as a blade suddenly emerged from the sternum of Brain's chest. A few drops of blood dripped to the ground as Brain froze with surprise as well as pain as he tried to breathe.

Everyone's eyes went wide, unable to process what had just happened. Then they saw the blade's owner. His clothes were ripped and torn due to the battles he went through with cuts and scrapes here and there. His eyes were cold and emotionless like the light had been sucked out, now green instead of amber-brown. However, the only features that were unmistakable were his short, spiky brown hair and his light skin.

"No way. It can't be," Elfman said. "It's..."

"Willy!" Lisanna finished.

If you liked what you read, feel free to leave a review or a follow!

If you don't like it, well, I'm sorry you don't.

As always, thank you for reading, and I hope to see you in the next chapter.

Dragomaster, signing off!