The Fairy Contender

by Insane Dominator

One day, Nic Pularis is drawn into a sub-dimension, where he encounters Legendary Pokemon. He is entrusted with Plates by Arceus, and send to the land of Fiore, where he encounters Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Erza. He must go through multiple perilous journeys with his Pokemon and Fairy Tail, and triumph and endure hardships to master all eighteen Plates and save the universe. OCxErza.

68. For My Friend

Chapter 68 – For My Friend

Okay folks, here's the last chapter of the Celestial Siege Arc! I hope it was worth the wait; fights, drama, and all. Be ready to have your spines chill and feel the emotions and fluffy stuff all around.

Guest Valvrave: Remember when I said I got this arc idea from watching One Piece, and that I used a few references? That's why.

Doodledoo2431: Glad to know you are loving my story still. Unfortunately, I haven't got much to say or do about Sophie, and I won't have her assisted by Mew or anyone. I'll think of something.

Here's the concluding chapter of the Celestial Siege Arc!

To Recap:

In the upper floors of Andromeda Tower, Cana was pit against Vul; Sophie went up against Apus; Nic and Greninja quarreled with Camelo. Cana put up a struggle, but with the help of Mavis Vermilion, she was bestowed the power of Fairy Glitter and defeated Vul. Sophie unlocked a new Memory-Make in honor of Pavo and defeated Apus. Nic and Greninja combined their efforts and defeated Camelo. Soon, everyone came together and reached the path to Lysandre before the tower collapsed. The group thus went on their way towards Lysandre, ready to free the Zodiacs and take back the Celestial Spirit World.

---

Chapter 68 – For My Friend

The crew continued their arduous walk on the path, with an ocean of pitch black darkness and rotting force just below them. The air made it hard to breathe, and Canes was seen panting. Everyone made it a nice, easy walk with determination in the air. Above their heads looked like an endless void, swelling with near-infinite evil and scorn.

Greninja looked up ahead. "You guys see that?"

The group saw the layer of blood red and dark purple cosmic dust that seemed to give off a rotting odor, and everyone saw how long it reached out ahead.

"What is this…ocean of death?" Sophie dubbed.

Lupus sniffed the air, making him and his pack cringe and shake their heads at how they felt their nostrils burn. "This is definitely Lysandre's trail. We're getting close." He said with his nostrils covered.

He turned towards his pack and looked down at the Beta. Lupus barked at the Beta, and in turn the Beta did the same. The Beta then sat down, and one by one, the remaining Canes members sat down.

Lupus turned to face the others once more. "This is where I draw the line. Canes will remain here."

"Oh, smart thinking." Corvus praised. "So, now what?"

"We must be well enough to proceed ahead. This ocean of rotting dust means we're closer to our destination." He turned towards Nic. "Nic, can you use your powers to give us our strength?"

Nic stepped ahead of everyone. "Yes." He began walking ahead, and as he only proceeded a couple of steps, he felt the energy swell up more and more. Nic knew that a Plate was up ahead, but he had to question how and why he couldn't have sensed it before. He ignored this matter for now as he glowed and shifted into his Mind Plate Form and readied to heal his crew.

"Heal Pulse!" An orb of bright pink converged in front of him, and then it exploded, sending sparkling pink waves at everyone in front. Immediately, Cana sighed and Corvus gave a longer sigh of relief as energy came back to them.

Sophie smiled with energy. "Okay, now we're ready."

Volans nodded. "Right! Now that we've recovered, no holding back!"

Nic glowed and shifted back to his normal self. His attention drew towards the dark and hazardous sea of horror before them. "Alright everyone, head on out!" Nic thus pressed ahead, but he and the others paced themselves so as not to intake much horror-induced cosmic dust on either side of the wide path they followed. Canes stayed put as instructed and howled up, wishing their pack leader luck.

It felt like a while before they made any real progress, but as they walked along the path, something came into view up ahead. It looked like a giant wall of huge arches, and it was clear there were figures up ahead. It was also a sign as the energy swelling all around was getting more intense to the point where their goosebumps shrieked and nearly made them lurch, but alas they finally arrived.

"It's them." Corvus swallowed, seeing the Celestial Spirit King up ahead due to his huge size.

"His majesty, and the Zodiacs." Volans muttered strongly.

"Come on!" Cana called them forward, and they all ran ahead some more.

Nic was feeling the energy swell to a greater extent, and he felt the pure, ghastly power emanating from all around. It was savage and deadly. 'A Plate, and its energy is escalating. How can this be? Does Lysandre have the Plate in his possession? If so, this is bad.' Nic had to be strong. If that were the case, then he could counter with his Dread Plate Form, since that meant a Type advantage. Whatever the case may be, they all soon came to a halt.

Their eyes widened in sheer horror. Cana and Sophie swallowed as they saw all of the Zodiacs, some they never saw before. One looked like a tan woman with balances in hands, and the others were of a mother and son duo, sporting fish ornaments. The other one seemed to be a sea goat in a suit, presuming to be Capricorn, the one Lucy had recently contracted with.

Every single Spirit had torn clothing, blood stained all over their bodies, and gashes were all over their bodies. Every single one, including the King, looked as though they were on the brink of death.

"Loke! Aquarius! Taurus!" Sophie looked all around and was appalled by the rest and how they were hanging by chains. "Scorpio…everyone."

Volans clenched his fists. "It's a horrific site before us."

"I know, isn't it just so gut-wrenching it fills you with joy?"

They all heard the voice echo through the foul air, and their senses crawled with their legs trembling, though Volans, Nic, and Greninja were able to remain stern. The air was starting to make them all feel as though they were suffocating, and no one dared to move as dread swelled their bodies.

The energy around them was starting to converge on the throne before them. Malicious shadows eroded forward to make a dark cocoon mixed with dark purple. The mal force began to pressurize to an extreme level, and everyone felt a rather brief yet hair-pulling gravity field.

It all soon faded, and the cocoon of evil faded away, giving way to Lysandre, fiercely smirking as amusement was written all over. "Well now, glad you could make it. I was tempted to slice one of these guys in two if you didn't satisfy my patience."

Nic clenched his fists. "Lysandre."

Lupus snarled up at Lysandre. "You scum! You took everything from us!"

Corvus couldn't find the strength as all of his nerves were paralyzed by this overwhelming dark power. Coupled by the darkness and the void that was looming over their heads, you couldn't blame any of them if they took a step back.

Lysandre gave a straight face at the wolf. "Lupus, the traitor. I see you've defeated Sirius and won back your pack…" His eyes narrowed. "Too bad that means all of you will have to lose your lives."

Nic stepped forward. "Lysandre, what have you done to the Zodiacs?"

"Oh, you mean my trophies?" He didn't bother looking back at them, a malevolent chuckle came from him. "I just put them in their place, hopefully use them as bait to draw you here. It worked, obviously."

"You nearly slaughtered all of them so that you could get to me?!"

"The King wasn't even a remote challenge. He was easy to take down. Once that was settled, taking over and slaughtering was easy." His tail wagged. "And as a bonus, I picked this up along the way." Lysandre held up his left palm, and the Spooky Plate was slowly spinning using his psychic powers.

Nic's eyes widened, as did everyone else's. "I was right!"

"He had a Plate this whole time?" Greninja wondered.

"He found a Plate?" Cana asked. "This is bad."

Corvus looked uneasy, but didn't back down. "So, he's got something Nic needs, huh?" He slowly clenched his fists. "If that's the case, then we'll have a number of things to handle once this is all done!"

"It's time we settle things once and for all." Volans stated, his fists clenching. "Time to make you pay for the treachery that befell us because of your ambition to kill Nic, then everything else."

Lupus clawed the ground. "We're gonna make you suffer for all of the pain you put us through."

"And what you did to the Spirits in this world." Cana said.

"And for what you did to our friend." Sophie said strongly.

Lysandre's tail continued to wag about in amusement. "Hmph. So, you really think you seven can possibly stand up to infinite darkness. I can make a black hole in space now. I can turn a star into pure darkness and make a world shiver and dissolve into ashes if I chose to do so!" Everyone's bones rattled as they felt the malicious force quake the area, and the sea of blood red and purple beneath swayed with his huge power flux. "I can crush any who stand before me, you are no different! I explained this before, and I will not repeat a second time! I can make the very earth fall before me!"

Huge pillars of darkness erupted from all around in the darkness sea. The whole area quaked as the pillars erupted instantaneously and the level of evil kept on rising. Lysandre stood up, his dark purple, rotting aura still encasing his body and escalating as he let out a growl.

Nic's eyes showed hesitation and anxiety as he shook from the force of Lysandre releasing a lot of power to show an example. "He's not bluffing!"

The pillars faded back into the darkness beneath, and Lysandre floated in the air, some ways from his throne, where the Spooky Plate was sitting.

'Everyone…' Nic's eyes went from Lysandre back to the Zodiacs and the King. Seeing all of their helpless states was sad enough, but seeing them pounded and nearly dead and unresponsive was shaking Nic to the core. His dread was being replaced by resolve and vengeance, and this was just more fuel to add since this was the man who took a dear friend away. 'I swear, though I don't make promises anymore…I will make him leave this world.'

"Everyone, be ready!" Volans shouted, getting an arm up and in a fighting stance. "Don't hold back, and don't let everyone's efforts be in vain!"

Cana crossed her arms, head lowered as she glared at Lysandre with cards in her hands. Sophie pointed at her forehead and readied herself. Corvus spread his arms out, his black feathers reaching out. Lupus got down on all fours and snarled. Greninja took up a stance, and Nic glowed and shifted into his Dread Plate Form.

Everyone looked up as Lysandre's bloody eyes stared sharp daggers into them, making anyone go blind and feel their own eyes hurt. Though it pained them, they all began their charge.

"Everyone, for all that have suffered! For all who've died trying! For the universe! Attack with everything you got!" Nic shouted.

Lysandre raised his tail behind and crossed his arms. "Very well. It's time you learn the hard way, that no matter how many times you may try, you will never be mighty enough to defeat me!"

His tail swiped from behind without him having to move. The tail swiped across, sending a Psycho Cut that extended outwards with a huge and violent area. Everyone ducked and dealt violent winds and shockwaves as the flooring cracked, and the enormous Psycho Cut continued onwards out.

Everyone arose and begun their attacks. Lupus growled up at the monster and jumped up. He spun around with a roundhouse kick that sent a sonic shockwave at Lysandre. Lysandre waved his arm and the attack dissipated, much to the wolf's shock.

"Futile!" He glowed and an image of himself dissolved from his body and spiraled into a silver sphere. "Ancient Power!" With his arm reached out, a silver shockwave bellowed out, quaking the area as the silver sphere zoomed after Lupus. While he was still in midair, Lupus vertically axe kicked the incoming attack, embedding his Sonic Magic for optimal effect, but the collision made midnight blue and silver sparks that erupted into an explosion, sending the wolf falling backwards.

"Lupus!" Corvus flew in and caught Lupus by his talons. He hurriedly dropped his comrade onto the pathway again and went zooming in with a spiral. "Midnight Soar!" Surrounded in black energy and shaping into that of a crow, Corvus made way at high speed.

Cana threw some of her cards. "How about this!" The cards glowed as they traveled towards Lysandre.

Lysandre's eyes glowed light blue and didn't move a finger as the cards were redirected and sent into Corvus, catching the crow by surprise as he was forced to redirect his attack to avoid the exploding cards, but failed miserably as the cards exploded and he shot out from it.

"What?!" Cana shouted in disbelief.

Lysandre reappeared in front of Corvus and swung his tail, hitting Corvus hard and right into Lupus.

"Sophie! Nic!" Volans shouted as he passed the wolf and crow with wings spread out.

"Right!" They both hopped onto Volans's back as he sailed close to their level. While Volans was flying in, Sophie and Nic readied for their attacks.

"Memory-Make: Mirrors of Cold Retribution!"

"Dark Pulse!"

Both attacks of dark green and jumbled dark purple beams went sailing after Lysandre. The man looked down as the attacks closed in, but showed little interest. He swiped his arm, sending a rotting and wailing Ominous Wind down onto the group, completely overwhelming Nic and Sophie's attacks.

As Nic and Sophie flew off of Volans's back, Lysandre smirked. He was caught frowning when he heard a swift sound behind, and Greninja appeared.

"Dark Pulse!"

Greninja fired a close-range Dark Pulse as Lysandre turned around. In turn, Lysandre was struck by the attack, but only grunted as he didn't budge much. The attack kept on pushing, and he grunted some more until disappearing into shadows, and the Dark Pulse continued onwards, hitting a chunk of the area. Greninja's eyes widened as he looked behind, his reflexes picking up on Lysandre.

"Behind you!" Cana provided and assist as she made the cards in her hands glow with green lightning. "Summoned Lightning!" She sent the cards up behind Greninja, where Lysandre had converged. Lysandre swatted his tail and the cards all dispersed. The brunette's eyes shook with horror. "But how?!"

Volans went zooming on in and flapped his large wings. He closed the distance quickly and his pointed elbow glowed. "Trench Shredder!" He slashed at Lysandre, but all Lysandre did was swiftly swipe his arm, and he used Slash as a means of interception. The force between the two attacks made a shockwave as neither side backed down.

Volans felt his momentum slipping, and soon enough he was shot back in midair. Lysandre smirked and slowly extended his right arm out. "Psybeam!" He fired a streaky blue beam with pink circles at Volans, and the Spirit barrel-rolled and dodged the Psybeam the best he could.

"Dark Pulse!" Nic didn't hesitate to strike Lysandre and used his Dark Pulse that went zooming up towards him. Greninja landed right by his side and added in his own Dark Pulse. Both attacks went flying up and fused in midair. The large Dark Pulse made contact as Lysandre was distracted, and a dark explosion shook the air violently, sending strong shockwaves that cracked large parts of the area.

Through the smoke, Lysandre grunted as he was caught surprised. "Lucky brats."

"Dusk Shower!"

High above, Lysandre heard the call, and looked up to see the smoke clearing out, and black feathers pelted down onto him. Corvus was shown to be high above, and raining down his assault.

"How do you like that?!" He shouted from above, but to his disbelief, Lysandre wasn't even fazed as he stood in place while Dusk Shower rained down onto him. Corvus looked shocked as his eyes bulged out. "EH?!"

Lupus ran up on all fours and skidded to a stop right underneath Lysandre. "Open wide! Sonic Howl!" He let loose a midnight blue soundwave that echoed up towards the monster.

Corvus recovered from his shock and flapped his wings downwards, sending a twister of black wind at Lysandre. "Night Storm!"

The two attacks closed in onto Lysandre, and the man kept a frown as he opened up a purple hole above. With no warning, he became shadows and went up into the hole. The hole then disappeared, and the two attacks aimed for him collided in place. Lupus and Corvus looked startled and jerked back as their attacks met, and a harsh explosion erupted, causing both the wolf and the crow to scream as they were shot away.

"Corvus! Lupus!" Nic shouted.

Greninja looked ahead as Lupus and Corvus fell onto the pathway. "He's got us overpowered and cornered again…" His eyes widened when he felt a malevolent energy came from above, and he instinctively dodged left as Lysandre shot down from the hole.

"Phantom Force!"

Though the attack missed, the dark shockwaves and the large crater made sent Greninja flying off, spiraling in the air and straightening out, though he landed in a harsh skid.

Sophie made a chain of memories that made a huge light green beam that sailed off after Lysandre coated in lightning. "Memory-Make: Baryon Lightning Impact!" She sent the attack with sheer force, and she watched as Lysandre stuck his arm out.

"If you're trying to impress me, you'll never succeed." He taunted. A spatial portal appeared in front, sucking up the entire Memory-Make attack.

Sophie looked shocked as her attack was taken in. 'Oh no! I remember he can do that!' Her attention drew towards Volans, who was in midair and looking for an opening when a spatial portal opened up behind him. "Volans, watch out!"

"What?!" He turned around, but was too late as the Baryon Lightning Impact. Light green and static engulfed him, making the Flying Fish Spirit scream.

With Sophie in shock from accidentally hitting her ally, Lysandre reappeared from shadows and deviously smirked at her. "Feint Attack!" Lysandre's malevolent aura made Sophie's skin burn as the proximity was too close, and she looked back to get a tail slam to the face, making her scream as she shot away.

"Sophie!" Cana called out to her, but Sophie slammed into her, making both girls fall over.

Lysandre smirked in satisfaction at how the rebellion was on its feet. He was having no trouble such as before. While he was in his musings, his dark level of sensory picked up a sound from behind. He figured out who was behind him and disappeared into shadows before Nic's Night Slash could get a slash in.

"Damnit." He cursed under his breath.

The shadows reappeared some distance above and behind Nic, and Lysandre reappeared and smirked down towards Nic before bringing his hands together and shooting an attack of his own. "Dark Pulse!"

Nic pivoted and turned upwards, hurrying so as to use the unsheathed Night Slash and used it to block. Though it did manage to hold up for a little while, the impact continued to pelt Nic, and the pathway continued to crack. "He's…he's got so much strength!" Night Slash didn't hold up as Dark Pulse ended up making a dark explosion that engulfed Nic. He grunted as he tumble-skidded and felt the sting from the attack.

Nic's face twisted. "I gotta change tactics." He thus glowed and shifted into his Flame Plate Form. He began to coat himself in fire and glared up at Lysandre. "Greninja, Smokescreen!"

Greninja heard his call and made ninja hand signs before huffing out a great mass of black smoke up at Lysandre. The attack engulfed Lysandre, and the monster snickered as he thought little of the Smokescreen. All he did was close and reopen his eyes, and a huge shockwave bellowed, dispersing Smokescreen in a flash. The shockwave even knocked Nic back as he was using Flame Charge, but that only made the fire go out and he shot back down, and Greninja lost footing.

"How impudent!" Lysandre snapped his fingers, and the entire area began to shake violently. Everything all around went crazy as the ocean of darkness sprouted two enormous geysers of blood red, dark purple, and pitch black, which escalated far up into the sky. He slowly brought his arm down forward in front of the crew. "Begone!"

The two pillars of pure hatred and evil shot down from the sky, and seemed to be resembling meteors almost. Nic and Greninja, as well as the crew, all hurried away from the two pillars. Yet it was still unfortunate for them as the two pillars crashed down and emitted violent shockwaves and ruptured the entire airspace as far as the eye could see. Wails and catastrophic shockwaves of wretched darkness went outwards, and Lysandre showed his sharp teeth as the evil shockwaves just fazed through him.

He levitated close to his throne as the scene was starting to clear. The entire pathway that reached as far as the eye could see was in shambles. It was completely obliterated, and the crew was lying on the very edge of the remains of the attach point. They were all severely bruised and battered, and they cringed in pain.

Nic slowly got up, with Greninja slowly following. "Is everyone okay?"

Volans slowly arose to his feet. "Hm, I can still manage." He wobbled a little, but he was able to still get up.

Corvus clenched his fists as he began to arise. "I-I'm good."

Cana and Sophie arose and grunted, feeling pain and torn shreds hanging on their dresses. "This is bad." Cana looked down at her hand. It was shaking uncontrollably. She remembered this level of evil. It wasn't like Zeref, it wasn't like Acnologia, for this…was worse. The vision before her was the eternal definition of bloody, uncensored hatred and bellowing evil.

Lupus shook his head as he got up. "There's not even a scratch on him. Guess we're gonna have to go crazy to really lay a few scratches on him."

With everyone up, Lysandre's eyes narrowed as he shot a Shadow Ball down at them. "Do us all a favor and just die!" His Shadow Ball missed and exploded upon impact with the area ahead. Everyone either ran, jumped, or flew away as a ripple reached out and exploded, sending more devastation around.

Lupus rushed ahead with his claws coated in Sonic Magic. "Sonic Claw!" He jumped up and sprung down onto Lysandre, but the monster dodged the swipe that quaked the area.

Volans went diving down from above, charging in with full force. When he got to a point, he brought his hands together and made a shining sphere of deep blue. "Corvus, assistance!"

"Gotcha! Night Storm!" Corvus sailed right beside him, and he flapped, sending a twister of dark winds that raced down and followed the shining sphere. The two attacks combined, and thus made a dark comet with a blue meteor in the center.

Lysandre looked at the attack incoming and made a blue sphere of sheer intensity. "Aura Sphere!" He threw the forceful attack, and it collided with the comet. It sounded like jets crashing into each other as shockwaves were so strong that Lysandre himself was caught surprised as he was pushed back by the attack. 'I was pushed back?!'

"Hit him hard! Icicle!" Cana swiped her cards, and huge icicles went after Lysandre. With little effort, Lysandre opened up a spatial portal in front and the icicles went inside. The portal then closed and the man twitched his fingers just a little. Cana looked up as the portal opened up overhead, and she dodged her own attack that pierced the land.

Sophie extended her arm ahead. "Memory-Make: Scorn of the Armored Winds!" The area all around Lysandre was then surrounded by iron-like twisters that closed in on him. "Everyone, don't hold back!"

Cana raised her right forearm as a red tattoo appeared, and she looked ahead. "We hear ya! Volans, Lupus, Corvus, soften him up for me!"

Corvus grunted as he stored his own power. Black flames and aura began to erupt from him, and everyone felt an immense charge coming from him. Volans grunted as he opened his eyes wide and let out a battlecry, light blue waves of energy flowed around him, and his wings, arms, legs, and tail all were coated in thick, solid deep blue scale-like armor while the markings on his body shined. Lupus howled up to the void as he began to exert force of his own. His arms and fur all around gave off midnight blue static as midnight blue Sonic Magic encased his limbs.

"Altogether now! Make him pay!" Volans shouted.

Corvus shot up into the air with a battlecry, his black winds, feathers, and flames shaping into a crow. Volans himself had several blades erupt and extend on one forearm, and Lupus gathered all of the energy he had and it shaped into a wolf that took up his whole arm.

As Lysandre swiped his arms, dispelling the Memory-Make, he was caught with several figured coming at him at once.

"Deep World – Sakratua Pala!"

"Great Wolf – Sound Barrier Fang Crush!"

"Nevermore – Amaterasu Sky!"

All three attacks made an explosion of mixed blue and darkness that erupted upwards into the eternal depths above. The ground shook as violent winds nearly broke everything to pieces. The King, whom was barely conscious, noticed this Celestial power, and his eyes briefly widened from the awe of the three Spirits and their seemingly unmatched power.

Nic and everyone was starting to get blown away, and that's when Nic skidded back harshly with Greninja while Cana was barely able to hold on and Sophie was near flying. Nic glowed and shifted into his Earth Plate Form, and he pressed one of his foots back.

"Hang on!" He stomped backwards, and then some small level of earth eroded out from the area. With the added area just to cover their ground some, they were all safe, and Cana arose with her red tattoo glowing and she held up her arm once more.

The dust settled, and the three Spirts were all close to the other, panting as they had dealt harsh blows to Lysandre at one time. Lysandre was seen on the ground, on a knee as his body had some bruises and deep scratched.

"These guys, they're actually making me feel pain after such a long time." He growled as his body stung from the combined assault. He slowly arose back up to his feet, and ta the same time felt a great amount of Magic Power and a golden beam went up to the sky.

Cana was found to have been the source, and her hair flailed wildly. "Now! Gather, O' river of light guided by fairies!" She aimed her arm forward, and a golden ring with sparkles went down onto Lysandre.

"These damn brats." He muttered, his eyes becoming feral. "They are now annoying me…"

"Shine! In order to perish the fangs of evil!" The golden ring of great energy began to encase Lysandre, shining a great light that nearly blinded everyone.

"This Magic!" Sophie shouted trough the quaking earth. "I think this feels familiar!"

"Yeah, I feel it too!" Nic shouted. "It feels like Fairy Law before-!"

"Fairy Gli-!" Cana never finished as the golden light turned black and exploded out. The shockwaves all around bellowed and Cana and everyone fell backwards in pain and tumbled off. The darkness dispersed, and all saw Lysandre with a looming look of shrilled darkness. His dark purple aura encasing him was so thick and a great energy shift was in the air. The ground beneath him had a grand crater from his power surge.

"ENOUGH!" He roared, exerting a quaking black wind that was Ominous Wind bellowing and reaching out. Everyone felt the intense and grand pressure shake the entire area, and Lysandre didn't look too pleased.

"It can't be…" Sophie muttered.

"Fairy Law…never had a prayer?" Cana muttered. She cringed when pillars of darkness sprouted up all around, and continued to increase in numbers as far as the eye could see. Lysandre's face was more pale, and his fangs were a bloody red, and his eyes were that of feral vermilion. Corrosive winds blew that made everyone shiver to the core. Everyone felt their heartbeats quicken and nearly became paralyzed by the immense power that left even the stoic Volans quivering while trying to get up.

"This is…his great power." He muttered. "He hid this from us."

"This is bad. He's just as they all say." Lupus swallowed as he felt his will drain away. "He truly has no equal."

"I've had it with you all!" His primal proclamation bellowed, and the pillars of darkness all around him thickened and intensified greatly. He exerted yet another Ominous Wind, this one being far more ruthless as it was like a massive hurricane that made everyone scream as they were caught in the painful and burning turbulence.

They all screamed as they fell down, hitting the surface. They all groaned, yet Nic was able to push up. His head swayed as he was barely able to stand. He looked around in shock as everyone else was on the ground, and unable to move.

"Guys!" He looked horrified as he saw the severe bruises and injuries they all took; it was nothing short of a miracle for himself to be standing after Lysandre exerted so much force…which was what he was doing right now.

The vile energy never stopped growing, and everyone, even Greninja, looked as though the shockwave and energy exertion completely overwhelmed them. Unlike seven years ago, this shockwave was far more powerful, and this level of vengeful evil was of no bounds.

Lysandre never stopped as he unleashed a shrill roar and a swift Dark Pulse that ran in front of them. As the roaring of the land continued, it made the dark explosion that sent the group flying once more sound shrilling. They all slammed back into the surface, crashing so hard that their bodies were nothing more than numb, plain and simple.

Nic twitched as he hardly had any strength. Lysandre slowly closed in, and his body shined a bright light. Nic's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. 'Recover…damn him.' Lysandre began to close the distance as he floated towards Nic. Nic sent whatever impulse to his brain and sent it to all of his limbs. He mentally screamed at his limbs to move, and he was more than fortunate when he soon struggled and made it to his feet, albeit with swaying and great fatigue.

Lysandre levitated several feet in front of him, the proximity being lethal enough to make his skin sting from his corrosive aura and exerted power.

"Now, Nic." Lysandre started. "Do you finally see, that even though you're fancied as a beacon for the good of everything in the universe, darkness will always last longer. Your time is up."

Nic swayed left and right, his body exhausted from the damage from the couple of shots took in. He straightened up and looked at Lysandre dead in the eye like he did in the past. He showed no reluctance, despite hearing bells.

"You keep saying that, but you know that I'll get back up until you stay down." He whipped his arms to make them face the ground ahead. "I'll take any measure of pain if it means destroying you! Earth Power!"

He sent a crack with ground-shaking golden energy running and made way towards Lysandre. Lysandre merely scoffed as he pushed his arm forward, sending a crack resonating from beneath and colliding said Earth Power with Nic's. The ground shook some more and a golden explosion rattle beneath, breaking the area's surface and making Nic grunt loudly as he fell back onto his back and then onto his stomach.

Once again, Nic found himself stumbling to his feet, and glared at Lysandre once more. Lysandre shook his head with a smirk. "Okay, Nic, time to face judgement. Giratina and the others have been waiting long enough. I think it's time I deliver them to good news that you're gone…for good!"

He snapped his fingers, and shadows began to loom all around and converged onto Nic. Nic grunted as he jumped into the air as the shadows slowly raced after him, but Lysandre's lower half turned into shadows and he sprung after him. He made haste and maliciously smirked as his sharp claws grabbed Nic's neck. Nic gagged as he was caught held up by Lysandre above shadows that were trying to reach for him.

"All I have to do is drop you in." Lysandre noted.

Nic's breathing was cut off, but that didn't stop him. "That's what you think!" In one of his hands, a light green bone materialized and he gripped it. "Bone Club!" He jabbed the gone right into Lysandre's gut, making him gag and drop Nic. The shadows beneath retreated due to reacting to Lysandre, thus leaving Nic to land in a crouched position and lunged up as Lysandre was still in shock. "Drill Run!" Nic spun in and shot into Lysandre's gut yet again. The harsh stab made Lysandre fall backwards and hit the ground in a skid.

Nic landed on the ground, a slight pant in his breathing. "Is that more like it?!"

The dust settled quickly, and Lysandre disappeared into shadows and reappeared in the air. His bloody teeth were shown. "That's better!" He extended his arms out. "Psybeam!" He fired a gruesome streaky blue beam with pink circles, zapping away with great intensity.

Nic took in a deep breath and opened his mouth wide. "Mud Bomb!" His mouth then fired a large, brown ball of mud that shot hard and fast like a missile. Both attacks met in the middle, creating an explosion once more that made dirty, volatile winds. Nic hurriedly used the recoil to gain distance and jumped to the side as Psybeam powered through, zapping where he stood and made rubble shake violently, sending it everywhere and forcing Nic to cover up as he skidded away.

He swiped his arm, clearing the smoke ahead. Lysandre suddenly appeared from converging shadows once more, and Nic's skin was burning again from the close proximity. He readied to attack, but even Nic's own reflexes didn't foresee the next part.

Lysandre swiped his arm up, and the shadow beneath Nic thickened and zoomed up and struck his abdomen, making Nic gag blood as he Shadow Sneak arched all the way up, hurling Nic into the air as he yelled in agony.

"Nic! No!" Sophie shouted.

Greninja looked in horror. "Nic!"

Lysandre disappeared and reappeared once again in front of Nic at the highest point. With Nic in shock, Lysandre snapped his fingers, and down below the shadows slowly converged like a blanket and was below Nic. Lysandre's eyes glowed and he extended an arm as Shadow Sneak retreated.

Taking in a deep breath, Nic only had a few moments before he felt a strangling force. He gagged once more as his body was unable to move. He felt Lysandre's Psychic weighing him with immense pressure and he could only stare and feel pain as his body had taken too many harsh blows to act from before.

"He's got Nic pinned in the air with Psychic!" Sophie shouted, just before her body felt a great surge of pain and she collapsed once more, unable to stand.

"Damnit. He's not getting away with this." Corvus muttered.

Down below, the shadows were reaching up to Nic as Lysandre had him stuck and rendered unable to move. Nic's body was just too exhausted. Though he did recover from the battle with Camelo, he had to admit that the giraffe did leave him a little worn out; and with Lysandre's power amplified greatly, no advantage was with him today.

Nic gagged some blood, much to Lysandre's glee. He felt the bone-crushing force of Psychic, and his hazy vision caught Lysandre raising an arm.

His face was so pale, yet it was the darkest and coldest, devilish face anyone's ever seen. "Farewell to you, Nic Pularis. Join your friend in suffering!"

He created a dark, spatial hole, and he zoomed inside of it. Nic was left suspended as Psychic stopped, but a spatial hole appeared over his head. Lysandre appeared through it. "Legendary Arts – Hyperspace Hole!"

He crashed into Nic and a volatile dark explosion erupted. Nic screamed as the force was immense, and everyone watched in horror as Nic smashed into the earth, creating a grand shockwave and a crater as the attack's pressure practically erupted. Dust and rock were sent flying, as were violent ripples and shockwaves. Everyone screamed as they felt the rotting shockwaves nearly burn their skins and they fell to their sides.

"N-Nic…" Greninja mustered up his willpower and looked weak, but he didn't stop as he stood up…only to find his trainer lying in the crater, grunting as the shadows began to swallow him.

Cana's mouth gaped open. "No…" Her eyes began to mist. "You can't…"

Sophie shuddered in agony. "Nic! Get up!"

They got no answer as Nic's vision was only the void up in the sky. He heard nothing but deadly silence as he felt the cold, skin-burning shadows take him in. If he could yell anymore, he would have done it by now, but he no longer had the strength.

'I can't…move. Lysandre…has to be stopped, and yet…I can't…succumb to this…dread…' Nic's consciousness began to fade, and Lysandre began to raise his arm, slowly making a human-sized cocoon erode from the shadows, having Nic inside. He laughed maniacally as he held his arm out.

Volans grunted as he didn't have the strength as everyone was left to sit and watch as Lysandre was about to do to Nic, as what he did to Hades long ago. 'Nic.'

"N-NIC!" Corvus cried out.

Lysandre looked excited as he was beginning to close his fingers into a fist. "Time to finish this. Arceus shall die, and now to spread the eternal void!"

---

Nic slowly opened his eyes, seeing nothing but pitch black. His body was numb, and he couldn't feel a thing. 'How could I have let this happen to me? I can't give up, even to the bitter end.' Images of others came to his mind, all from the past. 'Guys; Cana. Sophie. Volans. Lupus. Corvus. Greninja…Erza…Vanessa…and-!'

A sudden light, though very small, slowly began to light up. Nic's pain and numbness was starting to fade away, and he was able to move freely. The darkness all around was starting to brighten up as the light ahead made a great flash, and Nic went blind.

When he opened up his eyes again, the entire dimension was white. His eyes looked around in confusion. "How did…is this…my subconscious?"

"HAH~! Right on the money!" The sudden voice came from the golden light that was in front of Nic, but the voice made Nic's heart stop. He gasped as he felt nostalgic, and his body began to shudder.

"That voice…"

The golden light took shape, and it revealed the one man who gave his life. The glow faded, and it revealed…Pavo. The peacock man struck a pose as he was still in a weak golden glow.

"Pavo!" Nic shouted, shocked beyond comprehension.

Pavo struck a pose. "Nic! I'm so glad to see you still fighting!"

Despite how happy he was to see the image of Pavo, Nic sullenly looked down. "I wish I was. I can't get the upper hand, but I know I can do this." Nic looked ahead in realization. "Wait, are you…"

Pavo stayed still and silent, but soon he gave in and his eyes mist. He looked down, tears beginning to form as he tried to smile. "Unfortunately, I'm just a subconscious Spirit. I really am dead…I'm sorry."

Nic's head looked down as sadness overcame him. "I failed. I failed miserably." He began shuddering harder. "We let you die. And I don't know what to do."

Pavo stopped his posing as Nic looked disheartened. As he saw Nic's gaze getting misty, the Spirit's spirit gave a sympathetic smile.

"Nic." The mentioned looked up at Pavo. "It's okay. I sacrificed myself so you guys could save the world. I didn't wanna see you like this, please don't be sad. That's the last thing this world needs." He raised a pumped fist high. "You still have the rest of the crew, right? You can't let them down! Letting them down, is letting me down! You all are my family! I wanna see you guys smile in the end!" Pavo smiled, despite the pools of tears he and Nic had.

"We've all been through so much, haven't we? At first, we were enemies, but now we're friends for eternity. All of us are counting on you. Lucy is counting on you. Erza wants to see you again. Your Pokémon, all of us. We're all betting on our light! Don't ever fade!"

Hearing Pavo, Nic felt more than a little shocked at how he was wavering, yet the dead one before him was bringing back his spirits. "Pavo."

"You have all of us by your side. Lysandre may have the darkness, but we have something more." He pointed to Nic's chest. "The light's heart; Luminous. He makes the earth tremble, and makes the fire in our hearts burn when he fights! So go back out there!"

Nic smiled as tears were going down his face, but he gave a serious and determined smile. "I will. Thank you Pavo, for everything."

Pavo gave a pose. "That's what friends are for!" He opened up his arms, and Nic and his friend embraced in a hug. The light that was Pavo began to shine brightly. "I'll always be with you guys…always…"

The golden light blinded everything, and Nic's eyes snapped back to reality, with pitch black encasing him, and his eyes refilled with no pain and full of burning spirit to avenge his fallen friend and crew. He began to exert a great red light.

---

Lysandre spread his fingers out. "And now! You…will…"

He trailed off when the temperature suddenly began to escalate. It was getting hot. Lysandre frowned when there was a pressure change in the atmosphere. The lightened momentum began to make the crestfallen team confused, and Greninja was able to comprehend the change of momentum.

He looked at his skin, and felt the heat actually steaming away the pain from the foul air. "Heat?" His eyes widened when he turned his attention forward, seeing the black and dark purple cocoon Nic was in beginning to shine a molten yellow. "Nic!"

Volans was able to get up, and he also felt this extraordinary power. "What is this power? It's…it's so primal…the energy beginning to surge, it just keeps rising!"

"Not to mention this temperature." Sophie said, starting to feel small sweat.

Lupus's ears flipped up as he heard a great shift down below. His head turned down and looked to see something that was of zero comprehension.

"Guys." He said. "Are we…falling?"

Everyone looked down to where he was looking, and just like him, they all felt their heartbeats quicken. They saw actual land rising up from beneath the darkness. It was molten fresh, and they all felt the heat.

Corvus's eyes bulged out of his head. "GAH! WHAAAAAT?! L-LAND IS RISING?!"

Cana's eyes showed astonishment. "Just what kind of power is this? To raise the land." She gasped when the same scenario and sensation was coming back to her. She heard and felt this energy from before, back on Tenrou Island, only it was of the sea.

Her head turned back at the cocoon, as it was now lava-colored and giving off a great swell of heat and immense power. "Nic."

The entire world shook as the ever-expanding land had begun to rise through the pitch black darkness, and the energy and magnitude of the molten rock seemed almost endless. Volans and Corvus hurriedly grabbed their comrades and took flight – way high up.

Lysandre felt the power level being extreme, and he was getting uneasy, but he knew what was going on. His feral vermilion eyes narrowed. "It looks like the real battle begins."

As if on que, the cocoon of lava exploded, and it was like a bomb went off. A hot shockwave went through the area, and everyone high in the air felt the heat from their distance. Their mouths gaped wide and lava exploded beneath.

The land and quaking had finally settled, and Lysandre saw that the dark sea he's created was burned away and replaced by fresh black rock with lava in the crevices. He looked ahead, and the sight of a figure surrounded by steam and dripping in a fool of lava made him grunt. Even the Zodiacs and King looked in sheer awe.

Standing before them was Nic, but his eyes were now yellow pupils with black sclera. He had on a red headpiece with ridges that started from over his head and sloped down to stop at his nose. The headpiece was connected to his eyes as black crevices separated the upper red headpiece to the sides, where red pieces hung and white spikes were on the sides. He had sharp teeth, yet his chin and neck were left bare.

Red segmented plates with black ridges ran along his neck, and his coat seemed to have become red as well. The coat had black edging, with segments running on the back of the coat between the hardened red scaled that layered the coat, similar to armor. The belt was a cindered black, and the buckle was a red bulb. The sides of the coat also had two spikes on either side. The sleeves were red with black crevices, but had bulbous, red shoulder plates. The coat also had a large tail that curved out, being nearly five feet long and ending in razor blades like the headpiece. The tail was red and segmented, and had three spikes and a gray underside.

While the chin and neck were bare, the arms were red with segmented black lines, but didn't seem like armor. The underside and the abdominal region and t-shirt layered under the coat was gray. The pants were red, and had black circles around the knee caps and separating onto five black lines that traced down to the red bare feet and to the five claws. The hands had the same black circles, with fives lines individually racing down one finger each to the sharp claws.

Nic took a step forward, and lava dripped from his mouth. As he stepped, land jutted up from beneath on one side. Pillars of rock coated in fresh lava prodded from the earth, and Nic took more slow steps and more small pillars jutted up.

"This power, I remember it." Sophie muttered.

"Don't tell me." Cana muttered, her body shuddering from high up. "I think it's one of those Legendary Pokémon that kicked Acnologia's ass!"

Greninja looked with concern. "Yeah."

Volans swallowed as everything was like a molten lava battlefield that went for miles around. He followed his attention down towards Nic as he stopped several feet in front of Lysandre. "So…this is Nic's power that was told."

Corvus could barely breathe. "That's Nic…AWESOME!"

Nic bellowed a hot roar that sent heated shockwaves all around, making the land quake and crack, making lava bubble and having Lysandre scoot back some.

"Legendary Force – Groudon!" He bellowed out, roaring once again and making land bulge all around.

Despite how much power Lysandre felt from Nic, he scoffed angrily. "Heh! Don't think that just because you used that power again doesn't mean you will be mighty enough to defeat me! How can you have activated it when you don't have a motivation! Doom is what should've killed you!"

Nic head lowered as steam arose from his mouth. "You're wrong. I was saved once again, and an old friend got me back to my feet." He brought his head back. "And now…to avenge Pavo and my crew!" His mouth glowed and he brought his head forward. "Fire Blast!"

He fired a huge, pulsing blast of fire, shaking the land beneath as a fire in the shape of a star went blasting ahead after Lysandre. Lysandre put his hands out and emitted a violent shockwave of hatred that shrilled outwards. The assaults collided, and fire and darkness erupted in between the two, quaking everything once more.

'This temperature is so high.' Lysandre thought. He was caught shocked when a sudden green beam raced through the explosion, and Lysandre found himself screaming through a disastrous green explosion that shattered small parts of the land around, sending lava and fresh hot rock all around.

Lysandre emerged from the explosion as shadows. He reemerged at a higher altitude with a grunt of annoyance and pain. He watched the explosion settle, and saw Nic down below, unmoved and emitting a low roar.

"How annoying." Lysandre brought his hands together and made a blue sphere of negative aura. He shot his arms forward and a ripple bellowed as he shot it at Nic. "Aura Sphere!"

As the move shot towards Nic, his arm glowed a bright white. His Hammer Arm was brought back and he forcefully punched forward. Both attacks met, their individual force making air ripples that shook the newly established earth. It sounded like more bombs went off, and a bright flash took up the scene. A few glints passed before a shockwave sent violent winds all around, making Nic skid back several feet.

After regaining foot, he looked back up, seeing Lysandre far overhead and sailing downwards with shadows on his lower body. He flew in a harsh slant and had Dragon Claw formed as he flew at astonishingly fast levels.

"Lava Plume!" Nic tensed up and curled up just a little. The segments all around his body and attire glinted a lava red and his body expelled a shockwave, an eruption of fire that went in all directions. The blast wave expelled out, and Lysandre's Dragon Claw met the tsunami of fire. Both attacks fiercely clashed, and Lysandre grunted as the immense force of the enhanced Fire-Type prowess actually cancelled out, leaving him in place as the fire cleared out, and yet another Solar Beam was fired from Nic, which beamed with intensity after him.

"You're aggravating me!" Lysandre let loose a loud roar as his body expelled a catastrophic hurricane of darkness and Ominous Wind. The raging force of darkness was like a veil that shielded the Solar Beam, and the green blast diminished into nothing.

Everyone above watched in awe as no words came to mind. Fur and hair flew as mouths hung open. They've never felt such a force and heat up close. This battle was beyond what they could comprehend at the astronomical levels playing out.

Nic growled up at Lysandre as he felt Lysandre's growing power. The dark purple surrounding the monster's body thickened, and his bloody vermilion eyes didn't falter. The power Lysandre had continued to escalate, and dark pillars ruptured and pierced the lava-like landscape all around.

Nic looked around, but said nothing as he looked forward at Lysandre and his growing force. All he did was look up at him.

"Dark Pulse!"

Lysandre unleashed a devastating beam of dark rings that broke the sound barrier. The attack beamed ahead, and Nic inhaled and roared out, exhaling another Lava Plume. Simultaneously, everyone above saw a huge wall of fire and darkness erupt upwards, and the land shuddered in response.

"GAH! NIC HAS THIS MUCH POWER?!" Corvus screamed.

Greninja only stared, not even moving his head to nod as the catastrophe down below settled. "Yeah. This is the power of Pokémon."

The black and fiery explosion settled, and Lysandre was twenty feet away from Nic. Both had vicious expressions, and Lysandre readied Shadow Claw. "You foolish light." He rushed don in. "I'll never stay down as long as you are up!"

"The feeling is mutual!" Nic opened his mouth and fired molten rocks at Lysandre. Eruption, however, didn't make its course as Lysandre faded into shadows and reappeared in front of Nic. Lysandre slashed up, making the blow strong enough to make Nic grunt in pain as he sailed back, but still had his feet under him and new land came up from behind and acted as a cushion for Nic, thudding into it, but took minor injuries.

Lysandre conjured up a sphere of black and purple and fired it. "Shadow Ball!" His attack sailed at Nic with immense force, yet Nic opened his mouth and fired a booming Solar Beam. The two attacks actually passed the other this time, and time slowed down as shock came across all faces. Time sped up again and the two attacks met their marks, causing both sides to get caught up in explosions and yelling.

"GAH!" Lysandre fell and smashed into the fresh earth.

"GURH!" Nic smashed through the earth behind him, falling onto his back.

Both sides got up, the dust and steam dispersing. The dark pillars piercing the ground and earth alike faded, and dark energy swelled around Lysandre as he got back up. "You can never see that destiny demands that the void is to be eternal?! All shall perish! And I'll make a note of that starting with you!"

The energy swelling around Lysandre began to glisten, and the land never ceased to quake as the energy emitted began to converge to a single point. The dark energy tuned into a vicious sphere that became a shining silver.

"Ancient Power! And…" He opened his mouth, exhaling a blue beam that swallowed up the sphere and both the sphere and the beam attacked together. "Dragon Breath!"

The attacks went after Nic, yet he didn't falter as he emitted a violent roar. He stomped on the ground, and violent cracks raced through the earth and lava. Lava and golden energy erupted as the cracks raced after the incoming combined assault. "Earth Power!" The attacks met right in the middle, and several glints appeared before everyone and a violent explosion ruptured once again, sending shockwaves of lava, silver, and blue in all directions.

The ground cracked some more, and lava filled the gaps. Everyone held onto Volans and Corvus as they had to escalate higher as heated rock spouted below.

"It's madness!" Volans exclaimed.

"Those two are fighting with their highest capabilities. This could go either way." Sophie said.

"Fire Blast!" Nic opened his mouth down below, and let loose a raging star of fire that enflamed the earth. The attack met its mark once more on Lysandre, engulfing him in great flames that exploded. The monster screamed as he skidded backwards into the earth, shattering fresh rock.

"I won't lose! Not to you again!" Lysandre's fists clenched as he roared up to the void above, and Nic felt a great energy swell. A white force field and a multitude of energy comets surged. Te energy was massive, and Nic began to curl up again.

"Earth Power!" He made the ground rupture as the cracks and gushing earth and lava raced ahead, just as Lysandre expelled his attack.

"Legendary Arts – Psystrike!" Lysandre let loose a shockwave once more, and the force field and comets all expelled outwards and ruptured against Nic's Erath Power. The comets all bombarded the wall of lava and earth, and Nic was left baffled as Lysandre's force field was still behind the comets. Nic screamed as the attack engulfed him, powering through his Earth Power. The remaining comets also bombarded Nic, and he roared as agonizing pain shot him back from a huge wall of white before him that expanded out.

Down below, everyone saw a huge trail went far away from a massive crater beyond comprehension. Their eyes were wide as they got a closer look…Nic was on a knee. At the end of the long trail, Nic's body was steaming and his armor-like attire had bruises. The attack left a harsh mark and he was panting and on a knee while Lysandre was still levitating with his dark purple aura still coating him.

"Are you through yet?!" Lysandre bellowed. "HRAH!" With no time to waste, Lysandre fired a fierce and large Dark Pulse, shaking the hot ground and beaming its way towards Nic.

Nic felt fatigue catch on, and he tried standing firm. He grunted as he saw that Lysandre was truly a savage beast and had power. His eyes narrowed as Dark Pulse closed in…

"Nic! You can keep going!" Nic's eyes cascaded up and he saw the crew high above. Their voices began to strengthen as his eyes slowly widened.

"Everyone…"

"Vanquish this scum from our world!" Volans declared.

"Give him what for!" Corvus shouted.

"All the way!" Lupus shouted.

"We're in this to the end!" Cana shouted.

"I wanna remember a happy ending!" Sophie cried out.

"No backing down! Just like we've done for all those years!" Greninja cried out.

'Guys!' Nic looked back ahead as the torrent-like Dark Pulse closed in. His eyes stared at it. 'They're right. We're in this together, and with Pavo always with us…we can't fail!' He roared loudly as heated ripples exerted out, and his body shined a bright crimson color.

The Dark Pulse made contact, but instead, Nic was veiled by the crimson energy, and the attack's damage didn't faze him.

"What?!" Lysandre was in nothing short of an uproar as Nic had protected himself. "You damn brat…" He felt the strange power escalating, and the untamable force began to rise, as did the heat. His eyes widened as the land was beginning to scorch. "The land…this power…is he…?"

Everyone above felt yet another power shift, this one being hotter than before, and the cracks in the black, steaming ground began to flare. Everyone felt the land quake as Nic's crimson glow turned red and drew in so much power and unparalleled energy that an actual field of red surrounded him.

"Lysandre! I'll make this world the way it was, before you ruined it all!" The energy around Nic began to condense while shining brightly. "I'll reconcile with Erza! I'll avenge our fallen friend! And I'll make this place home to all of the Spirits left in this world!"

The condensed energy seemingly crystalized with two layers. The outer layer looked like red glass, whole the inner layer looked like lava flowing through.

"This immense level, it's escalating more than before?" Lysandre felt so confused as the flaming ground steamed and shook. "He's used Legendary Force a number of times in the past, how can he be pushing to this level?!"

The energy chrysalis condensed as pressure build up even more. The two layers actually fused together, making a dark purple. Lysandre and everyone felt something extreme in the power shift, for it was rising exponentially.

A glowing upside down orange 'U' with arrows appeared on the sphere.

The core finally cracked and shattered. Hot shockwaves and lava erupted all around, and more fresh land erupted over the cooled layers. Pillars and more cracked land erupted, and the cracks in the land lit ablaze.

Lysandre looked down as the land was on fire. "What is going on?!" He looked ahead as a footstep was heard, and everyone was left shocked once again.

Nic let out a hot roar into the atmosphere once more. The red color on his armor and attire had become a crimson, and seemed thicker than before. His teeth, underside of the arms, spikes, and shirt and gray scales underneath had become charred black. The back of the coat, the back of the hands, and the bulbous crimson buckle all had a lava upside down 'U'. The blades on the tail were more separate, and all of the black segments all around his body now flowed with lava, and his pupils were red. As he opened his mouth, the inside was glowing a lava color.

"He…t-transformed again?" Corvus could barely breath. The heat was just so primordial, as was this power. The fire was like a magma chamber.

"Whoa." Lupus muttered.

Cana was left staring as a field of steam was behind Nic. "It was like what Groudon did against Acnologia. He transformed like before."

Nic bellowed out a strong roar once more, making Lysandre cover up as the air itself had small embers, indicating the particles themselves couldn't survive the heat. "Legendary Force – Primal Groudon!" He said confidently. His lava glare darted right at Lysandre, making the recipient weary as his bloody evil air was being burned. "Like I said, everything you've done, we'll fix!"

"GRAH! Shadow Ball!" Having no words, Lysandre threw a blistering Shadow Ball. The black and purple sphere went lying away at Nic, yet to Lysandre's shock, Nic opened his mouth, and charged up green orbs all around.

The orb in front of Nic fired away. "Solar Beam!" The green beam blasted at the Shadow Ball, making a large, burning explosion in the middle. The burning ground rattled, and as the smoke cleared, Nic glowed a lava color.

"Lava Plume!" Nic exerted a lot of force, and then the land kept quaking as he exerted a shockwave of fire, proceeded by an explosion of molten fire, far hotter than last time. Lysandre infused his hands in Dragon Claw once more. With all of his force, he thrusted before like last time, but the impact of the two attacks was different, and Lysandre actually felt the burning heat and screamed as Lava Plume took over, and was far more powerful than before.

Everyone looked in shock as the tide was actually on both sides. To say it was gonna be even would be an understatement. They all witnessed the battle unfold, and the fire and explosion vanished.

Lysandre wasn't seen anywhere, and he reappeared in the air, emerging from shadows. "You're going down Nic Pularis!" He swiped his arm and made a Shadow Claw in his right hand. "DIE!"

Nic closed his mouth and then opened it up again, firing molten rocks at Lysandre. "Eruption!" The attack went blasting away, but Lysandre reached out ahead, and a spatial portal appeared. The Eruption went inside, and the portal closed.

Nic turned to his right, seeing the portal open up. The molten rocks went zooming through and blasted his right side, creating a great explosion of fire that made him step towards his right. He regained footing, but only had enough time to look back at Lysandre.

Lysandre was closing the distance, but the closer he got, the hotter it was. He felt like his darkness was being burned, and the extraordinary heat and lava didn't seem to end. Still, he pressed on and slashed Nic. His Shadow Claw met its mark right on the side of his armored face, making him skid back a few feet.

"YOU CAN'T BEST ME!" Lysandre's claim wasn't easily backed up, as Nic's armored side only made him grunt, and he looked back at Lysandre and saw the man give a feral glare, despite how his Shadow Claw faded away since Nic hardly sustained much. 'How is he not taking as much damage? This primal power, it's tremendous! But I won't have him have his way!'

Nic's eyes glinted. "Lava Plume!"

Lysandre's eyes widened as he felt the heat escalate, and he was suddenly swamped by yet another shockwave of fire that was followed by an explosion. His feral and bloody roar bellowed through the fire as it reached out. As it traveled, Lysandre shot back and smashed into the earth.

The fire faded, and Nic opened his mouth and green energy orbs were made once more. "Solar Beam!" He fired the green beam once more, and it raveled over the land and shattered the ground it traveled upon, making lava burst.

Lysandre grunted and his aura fumed. His arms swiped in opposite arcs. "Psychic!" He manipulated the Solar Beam, and the beam split into two. The two beams went pass him, and in the far distance behind him, explosions could be seen that beamed up into the sky.

"I can't take anymore! The eternal void shall rot you all!" His rage spilled out, and the land behind him ruptured. Several dark pillars of the darkness spouted upwards, and Nic grunted as he felt Lysandre's power escalate even further.

"GRAH!" Lysandre extended his arms forward, and by using Psychic, the molten lava and rock behind him rose up. The debris came like a massive tsunami that flooded after Nic. The raging tsunami went crumbling away at Nic. But the embers and heat all around him never faltered. This made Lysandre frown as Nic raised a foot.

"Earthquake!" The sudden attack call made all eyes widen.

Nic roared and stomped his foot down. The second it touched the ground, all of Hell broke out. A crater was underneath Nic, and then cracks ran along the earth. It was like the entire landscape cracked like glass. The crew above saw that the cracks ran as far as the eye could see, and then the ground completely shattered entirely. The land shifted into uneven fractions, debris rippled as immense shockwaves rattled through everywhere. Everything was in disarray, and the shockwaves and rippling chaos echoed out and clashed with the torrent of debris and rock Lysandre threw ahead.

A giant collision bellowed, and it all quickly fell to the ground as it continued shaking, throwing Lysandre off. "What?! How did he get this much power?!"

As the lava swished, Nic then glowed an aura of pure lava color. He roared ahead, and a hot shockwave echoed. "For everyone! FOR PAVO!"

The entire land began to glow lava color as well, and Lysandre felt an immense energy flow. The dark pillars behind him faded as lava replaced them, and He watched with a roar as Nic slammed his hands down into the earth.

"Maxus Legendary Arts – Precipice Blades!"

A near infinite level of incandescent blades of stone tipped in lava pierced through the lava ground, and the entire land ruptured and shattered as hundreds of blades pierced through the earth. Lysandre screamed in violent agony as the Precipice Blades caught up to him, despite how he was causing a great power flux. Darkness swelled about, but the forceful blades and sheer number out ruled, and the monster roared as a lava explosion roared, and the land quaked so hard that it shattered completely. Everyone covered up as a field of stone and lava made them go blind, and a beam of lava exploded entirely.

---

Lucy sulked as she was floating in suspense in front of a large blue core. "I can't believe this really happened to me. One minute I'm normal, the next I'm Happy-food?!"

"Don't worry, I won't eat you!" The Exceed's voice echoed, despite him not physically present.

Natsu pounded the ground of the Infinity Castle. "Damnit! Lucy! Hang on!"

"Everyone, remain calm." Warren insisted. "Apparently Lucy sped up the Real Nightmare Spell, but there should be a way to fix it."

"Okay, then how?!" Natsu shouted.

"We got it from Jaune-Luc and Levy back at the guild, apparently you have to-!" Warren suddenly felt a vibrant pulse running through the area, and his eyes shook at the sudden immense power shift.

Gray shuddered. "You feel that?"

"What's going on?!" Erza shouted.

The whole castle shook, and every single person inside looked uneasy as an earthquake bellowed. They all felt a great deal of panic, and the most affected was Lucy. She was still in front of the huge core, and she saw the actual core slowly turn lava colored.

"What the-?!" Lucy became stiff. "What is this? Does this feel like…Celestial Spirits…?"

Her eyes widened when the core jutted out blades with lava tips. They jutted all around, even in the space she was in. Lucy was left in shock as she went blind. Everyone else aboard the ship screamed as the blades actually pierced the ground, and the Precipice Blade scattered all across the entire Infinity Castle, piercing every corner.

When it reached the Infinity Clock in a certain location, the clock, despite the immense power it had, was no match for the sudden attack, and the entire clock was stabbed. It was pierced right through, and the entire Infinity Clock itself ruptured and exploded in lava.

The small ghost that came with the clock screamed violently as she was swallowed up by the lava and blinding heat, and the Infinity Clock and Castle entirely let loose a lava-like shockwave.

Not long afterwards, Natsu was seeing darkness, and he awoke to find shooting stars in the sky. He groaned as he thought something was beneath, and he slowly got up to find Ichiya posing with sparkles around.

"Man! I'm glad you're alright!" Ichiya stated.

"I don't get it, what just happened?" Romeo questioned. "It's like everything went…kaboom."

In truth, all of Fairy Tail was riding on Kanaloa, the octopus everyone fought before. Natsu wasn't too fond of the idea, and his cheeks puffed as his motion sickness kicked in.

"Wait, Kanaloa?!" Vanessa looked down to realize that it was indeed Kanaloa.

"There's no need to worry. Kanaloa and I have basked in the parfume of friendship." Ichiya explained. "He shall assist us in our cause to find your comrades."

Happy shifted the conversation. "Natsu…" He sounded so low.

Natsu gasped. "Lucy?" He looked around. "Lucy!" He turned towards the others, hoping they'd know.

"Relax, Warren and the others are already working on it." Gray informed.

Natsu stood up. "That's not good enough!" His eyes widened suddenly. "Wait…that smell." His nose twitched, and he turned towards the sky as the comets went overhead. "Lucy? I think I picked up her scent!"

"Point the way like a real man!"

Natsu pointed in a direction. "That way!"

"Very well, Kanaloa!" Ichiya insisted kindly towards his new friend. Kanaloa then jumped up and onwards, and so they went to search for Lucy, whom was falling out of the sky.

---

The lava and blazing fire all around the entire landscape faded away, and the cracks cooled down, giving off endless steam. The ground was completely leveled from that explosive finish, and Nic growled as he was still surrounded by a pool of lava.

Cana's eyes were wide. "Whoa…"

"That was…" Sophie trailed off.

"Awesome." Lupus muttered.

Nic growled out as steam and lava surged all around. His energy was extraordinary, and compared to before, Lysandre's energy was lower than before, just like when he finished him as Kyogre. A thick purple shadow wisp in the air far away, and it gave off a corrosive vibe.

The wispy shadow of pure evil shaped into Lysandre, but only his top half. He was badly injured. That last attack left some charred parts on his corrosive and dead-like body. "Nic Pularis." He growled. "You…you can't possibly win! Damn you!" His upper body cringed as his vile aura stayed steady, yet he couldn't.

He relented once more as Nic growled out at him. "I swear Nic Pularis, no matter how many times this ends, one of us will fall in the end. You may have overwhelmed me this time, but rest assure…" He was slowly encasing himself in shadows. "The true battle shall test whether the blackest of voids can destroy all that is good, and destroy and eradicate the universe. Until then, enjoy the time you have left." With those words, the shadows disappeared and faded into thin air.

Lysandre was gone, and then all at once, the vile and corrosive energy all around lifted. Everyone breathed in fresh air for the first time in what felt like forever, and the dark void that loomed like a ghost high above brightened up a little.

As the ground cooled, everyone descended to the ground, and they all ran up to Nic. He turned around as he saw smiles on their faces. He grew a rainbow field that encased him, and the lava around him. In a bright flash, Nic reverted back to himself, and he fell over.

At the last second, Volans swooped in and caught him as he fell. "Hang on, we got you!" He helped in supported Nic, as the latter was unable to stand.

Everyone saw his panting and saw how completely exhausted he was. He pushed himself bitterly this time. He looked barely conscious, but at the same time lightheaded.

Sophie smiled. "That was amazing. You drove away Lysandre again."

Cana frowned. "Though he's still went back into hiding…" She smirked. "He so got the ass-kicking he deserved."

"That was the power you possessed. That's incredible." Lupus admitted.

Corvus clenched his fists and jumped. "YEEHAW! We did it! We won! We actually won!"

Greninja went over and supported Nic in Volans's stead. Greninja looked down and saw the small grin on Nic's face. "We won."

Nic's grin never faded. "Yeah, we did. This time."

Sophie got back to the matter at hand. She gasped and looked over. "Wait, what about…"

Everyone looked over, and to their shock, Lysandre's throne was in shambles, yet as shocking as it was, the Spooky Plate didn't have a single scratch on it. Sophie went over, and she dusted the small rubble off. The Plate was hot. She found it surprisingly heavy and she turned back and walked back to face Nic with it.

"Now, here's your prize." She gently and slowly approached Nic with the Spooky Plate. When the Plate touched Nic's chest, a bright light flashed and blinded everyone. Sophie and everyone else covered up as they felt the radiating ghastly energy shining.

Nic felt no pain as he grunted. His body, with all of the Plates he's ascertained, had finally made it so accepting the new Plate was no problem, despite how ghastly the horrors and energy it possessed. The light soon faded, and Nic was seen huffing still as he still couldn't stand.

Greninja adjusted and helped to keep Nic up. "You okay?"

"Yeah…I think so." Of course Nic would be lying if he said he felt nothing more than a headache. His body felt so much strain. It was hard enough to remain in Legendary Force, but going beyond the limit this time took a toll, and it seemed his body couldn't function for a bit.

Corvus turned towards a giant pile of rubble, getting a bad feeling of what was underneath. "Uh, guys…?" Everyone took notice of where he was pointing and looking, and noticed it was the same spot where the Zodiacs and King were before.

"Oh no." Lupus muttered.

"Everyone, uncover them!" Volans shouted. Everyone, who was able-bodied, rushed on over and began to pull off the rubble, and Lupus's Sonic Magic was able to hear them underneath. He and the other were able to get all of the Spirits out, and it took some time to get the King out.

Cana helped in getting the injured and near-death Aquarius out. She supported her, and the Spirit opened one of her eyes. "You…" She recognized Cana, but Cana was in no mood to argue. She just wanted to help, despite how much they disliked the other. Aquarius just remained silent as a small grin came across her face.

Sometime later, after all of the Spirits were pulled out, they were all sitting on the land and recovering from hanging from the chains after so long. The crew stood in front, with Nic barely able to stand on his own.

"You all, we can't…we can't thank you enough!" Aries insisted, tears running down her face full of joy and pain as her body still hurt.

"You and your crew are just…wicked." Scorpio had no words to say.

"Thanks man, and ladies." Taurus thanked, and he was surprisingly nice rather than perverted, After the horrors he's been through, it would take a small bit of time for him to be back to his old self.

"Baby." Cancer said.

Loke smiled with deep gratitude. His quite was barely intact, and blood was stained all about. His glasses lost a lens. "You guys, Nic, you have our thanks."

Cana smirked. "Glad to see you're alive."

"So much punishment…so much punishment…" Virgo was traumatized to say the least. "Thank you…but please, stop the punishments."

"Relax, no one's getting punished anymore." Volans said.

"I must say, thank you for your valiant services in freeing us from the demon." Sagittarius saluted.

"It was our honor." Nic said.

The destroyed cape of the Celestial Spirit King shifted, and all attention was turned towards him. Though he looked anything but majestic, he still had the floor.

"Old friends. You have risked your own safety in stopping the greatest force that has ever destroyed our world. There have been incidents before, and yet this one has trumped everything. This level of darkness that our world suffered was of no bounds, and you all gave it everything you had into freeing us and driving away the monster." He sounded more than gracious.

Volans looked up at him. "Your greatness, we've done everything we've could, but not without the help of Nic and friends."

"It was more than those from Earth Land." The King explained. "Without certainty, this was a group victory. The kindness and dedication you all held dear was but by true bonds, and by those who gave themselves up so that they can allow comrades to venture ahead."

Everyone looked a little sullen as they all thought of the same thing. A certain late Spirit.

His majesty smiled. "Pavo would've been very proud of you all. All of you, we are forever in your debt."

Nic smiled up. "We owe everything to each other." He turned back towards the crew with smiles. "And to our eternal friend."

The crew's smiles and eyes turned towards a fluttering feather that was carried off by the winds. The feather was dancing in the winds; fluttering all carefree and with no regrets. As they all watched the feather flutter up and into the air above, they all felt a wave of happiness fill them.

"My friends, we did it."

They could hear Pavo congratulating them, and that thought alone was enough to make all of their eyes mist, but they turned their attention towards the Zodiacs and the King.

"You have all banded together…but now it would seem that this is the end."

The crew gasped in shock.

"With Lysandre gone, it shall take some time to repair our world." The King looked crestfallen. "The stars cannot guide us on this journey, and so we must rely on Nic to vanquish Lysandre once and for all. Only then shall all be restored."

"What are you saying?" Corvus asked. "You mean…?"

"With him gone, we can now repair the damage done, and the Celestial World shall regain its former properties." The King looked up to the blank space above. It was now dark blue, as it should be. "Once Lysandre's darkness is permanently gone, maybe, just maybe, everything will be back to normal."

The crew looked at each other, hopeful grins on their faces. They knew what he meant. He meant that the stars shall return, and the world shall be restored, and hopefully everything else, including the Spirits. Who knows? Maybe someday, they'll see Pavo again…someday. But for now, they must press on, and remember him forever.

Volans frowned. "Nic, Cana, Sophie, Greninja."

The mentioned turned towards him, hearing the tone of his voice.

"At first, I was more than reluctant to put my faith in you, mainly due to pride and past experiences." He looked dead at them. "We all came in this together, and we weren't too fond of each other…but, as the time went on…you guys are my crew…you all are my family." His fists clenched. "No matter how far apart we are. No matter who or what we are. No matter the pain we've been put through. This crew, is forever."

Lupus stepped forward. "This is my crew too! I may have won my pack back, but you guys are worth more than a hundred packs!" He swallowed as his eyes got misty. "I wanted to make Lysandre pay for the harm he's done to Canes, and now it's over. Our crew won."

Corvus began to tear up waterfall. "It's actually over. *sniffle* W-we won…and now *sniffle* we can rest and relax after so long!" He swallowed hard as he caught his breath. He slowly walked on over towards the humans and Greninja. "Guys."

"Guys…" Volans closed in.

"Guys…" Lupus joined in as well.

Nic, Greninja, Cana, and Sophie felt their hearts hurt. In a flash, it was a group hug, with small tears running down their faces as their time was over. All at once, they began to rethink the adventure they've shared. They've come across many lands, and made many sacrifices along the way. They all went through the dark seas, and took nothing but pain; yet, they all powered through together, and with that came bonds. Bonds that made them who they were today, a victorious crew. It was a long way, but they all came so far and settled matters, and now it was tie for half of the crew to finally part ways.

"Lupus, Corvus, Volans," Nic muttered.

"We know." Volans's squeeze got a little tighter. "We'll see each other again real soon."

Everyone pulled apart, and Corvus pumped a fist, despite the tears running down his face. He smiled happily. "We'll all pull off a big celebration, and we can't wait for you guys to see it!"

"For now, please return home." Lupus said, despite the words hurting. "You guys need to recover as much as we do."

Sophie nodded. "We will."

Cana smiled as her arms crossed. "We'll be sure to get rest, and you guys do the same."

Greninja smiled underneath his tongue. "Take care."

"Until next time." Nic announced, a soft smile on his face."

Everyone took in the faces of the Spirits, humans, and crew in general. With a nod, the King waved his arm, and the humans and Greninja vanished away, leaving the Spirits of the crew to look up with proud smiles as they pictured Cana, Sophie, Greninja, and Nic, all with smiles.

The same feather fluttered faster than before, filled with joy as it flew off into the unknown sky, free from darkness and into light.

---

In Earth Land, four figures emerged. When they uncovered themselves, they quickly took in their surroundings. It was all nature. They heard the birds chirp, the river nearby running, and they felt the nice breeze pass on by.

Nic and everyone turned towards the other, small smiles on their faces.

"Well, we're back." Sophie said quietly.

Cana looked up at the sky. "Well what do you know, haven't seen the sun so long it almost feels foreign to me."

Greninja's blank eyes turned towards Nic. "We're home."

Nic smiled. "Yeah, we are." Of course the guys realized the location; it was the exact same spot from when Pavo sent them to the Celestial Spirit World. They could tell by the markings and broken branches from when Nic had a bad fuse from being upset.

Sophie looked towards the direction of the Guild Hall. "Alright loverboy, let's get you and Erza that apology."

---

"I'm gonna stuff my belly!" Natsu opened his mouth wide and chomped down on a thick piece of meat, nearly taking the whole thing off of the bone.

"Not before I do first!" Dan from the Legion Corps wasn't one to back down from a competition, and he and Natsu engaged in an eating competition.

Wendy nervously smiled. "You think that's such a good idea?"

"They're barbarians, but at least they have the guts to prove such a claim." Carla sighed.

The battle over the Infinity Clock was over – considering it was completely destroyed and nothing of it remained! The Reborn Oracion Seis was arrested, and the Legion Corps made amends with Fairy Tail. To show their new friendship, a celebration went around. It was as loud and boisterous as can be, with laughter and some ideal pain, but that was all part of the spirits.

Erza turned towards Master Makarov, seeing him relax with little Asuka right underneath his arm. "Master?"

"Everything is finally peaceful as can be." He muttered, leaving Erza to turn ahead.

Vanessa was right by her side, looking at her and seeing that she wasn't grinning as before, rather she was still looking slightly contemplative. She knew what was going on, but as much as she wanted to assure Erza that Nic will be back, she herself couldn't help but feel worried.

He and the others have been gone for a long time. The battle was over, but where were they? It was more than a little discomforting to say the least.

Figures appeared in front of the Guild Hall, and the Legion Corps and everyone turned their attention to the mysterious guests that appeared.

Byro looked behind. "It would seem we have some unannounced visitors."

Gildarts turned around. "Oh yeah, who could that be?"

Natsu's eyes as the meat fell from his face. All eyes were on the four ahead of them, and they didn't find any way of moving from shock. They couldn't believe who started walking in, and the most awe struck was none other than Erza.

Cana winked. "Hey, we having a party?"

Sophie looked surprised, but smiled. "I don't remember us getting along so well. Must have happened while we were gone."

"It's nice to see you guys once more." Greninja announced.

Nic had a soft and inviting smile. "Hi guys."

"YOU'RE BACK!" Everyone shouted. They all rushed up to the four with big smiles on their faces, some sentimental tears dripping from a few members.

"You had us worried sick! So unmanly!" Elfman exclaimed.

"Huh, so you decided to stop hiding." Gajeel noted, as grumpy as can be, but grinned.

Juvia looked excited. "We're all glad you're okay! Right my beloved?" She turned towards Gray with big heart-like eyes.

"What timing you guys got."

Natsu smirked. "Yeah, you're just in time for a celebration! We kicked butt!"

Lucy flashed a smile. "We were worried. Thank goodness."

Cana sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. "Oh come on guys, you're embarrassing us!"

Though karma just so happened to be against her, as insult to injury just occurred with Gildarts springing off his seat and clasping his hands together and having hearts around his face. "Cana, sweetie! I knew you would make it home!" He looked so happy, and he embraced his daughter in public.

Cana could only feel embarrassment grow, and everyone around just laughed at her misfortune. But if she were honest with herself, the brunette was secretly just as happy as her father. She just accepted the hug and grinned softly.

"Yeah, sorry I worried you…Dad."

Nic crossed his arms and smiled at the sentimental reunion before him. He knew that it was tie that he faced the music as well. It was time to face what drove him away. Taking a deep breath, he turned towards Erza, who was standing some ways away. He went over and stood in front, both half-grinning and looking a little reluctant.

Erza looked dead into Nic's eyes. Finally, Erza spoke. "Nic, I…"

"Erza, uh…"

Both actually spoke at the same time, and they cut the other off. Nic coughed and talked first. "You first."

"Okay." Erza slowly advanced, and she stood closer to Nic. "Nic…I'm…I'm sorry." She admitted. She then looked away. "I shouldn't have been so selfish. I was just-"

Her eyes suddenly widened and she was cut off by a warming embrace. All hearts stopped as everyone saw Nic embracing Erza, with his chin resting on her shoulder plate. Erza was left breathless as Nic hugged her after such a long time.

"I understand, Erza." He said. "It's okay. I know you were just looking out for me. I was upset…but it all worked out in the end. I'm glad you're still okay."

"Nic." Erza was shocked, but a soft smile of relief washed over her as she was forgiven. She dug into Nic's embrace and everyone watched with warm smiles.

Makarov walked up, and the two separated from their hug of forgiveness. "Well done. I was worried what happened to you."

"Wait." Jet looked around, confused. "Something's off."

"Yeah." Droy looked around as well, holding a tin of turkey. "Wasn't there that peacock-dresser guy?"

"Yeah, what was his name? Pavo?" Wendy inquired.

"How peculiar. Why isn't he here?" Natsu questioned. He turned towards Nic and the others who had just returned. "And why are Cana and Sophie wearing fancy dresses that are all torn up?"

Inquiry was in the air as all attention grew conspicuously at the four. Nic looked back at Greninja and the others, and the more questions they were given of Pavo, the more their hearts sank. It was time to face the music once more, but it won't end well, that's for certain.

"Listen." Nic started. He glanced at Lucy. "Lucy, this is important."

Lucy blinked. "Oh, really? What is it?"

Nic took in a deep breath, and shifted into his Mind Plate Form. The sudden Plate change was a surprise, and Nic backed away. "Everyone, join hands." Everyone, even the Legion Corps, all held hands in a circle. The radius was huge, and Nic closed his eyes. Using his mental powers, he and everyone suddenly saw the scene around them become a blur, and then they suddenly found themselves in a flashback that started when Pavo fell over.

"What's this?" Jet exclaimed.

"He's using his powers to recap." Levy analyzed. "It's like a third person omniscient point of view."

Everyone thus paid attention to the entire flashback. Lucy was left in horror when she heard that Lysandre went on a Celestial Spirit genocide, and saw the group head to the hazardous world. All eyes were filled with horror as they saw the Celestial Spirit World, and watched Nic and the members meet Volans, Lupus, and Corvus. The dark energy was still creeping them out as they could feel it, despite it being a flashback.

"No way. You mean you guys went to the Celestial World to stop Lysandre?" Natsu muttered.

"And joined up with Pavo, who was really a Celestial Spirit?" Gray said.

They continued watching as they saw how the group was on the run, and how they saw Sirius, Canes, and Cetus attacking them, but watched them sail off. Their eyes nearly bulged out when they saw the crew fighting, especially with Nic against Cetus. They continued watching as the saw them enter the Heavenly Gates, and saw the vicious battles inside. They all felt immense horror when Draco was killed and Lysandre arrived.

Erza was the most horrified when she and everyone witnessed Nic falling down into the darkness, and watched the crew get their butt kicked pretty bad. They then saw Nic arise, and spines crawled and a few shriveled in terror as they witnessed Garchomp Mega Evolve into Mega Garchomp, surprising Byro especially.

"S-so Garchomp can Mega Evolve?!" Bickslow exclaimed.

"I ain't never facing that guy!" Max stated.

They watched in awe and terror as Mega Garchomp brutally thrashed Hydra, and they grew silent after the crew made it to the next pair of gates. Everyone, including Nic and the others who returned, all cried as they had the third person omniscient view, and watched the memories and Pavo's sacrifice, leaving the whole guild in tears.

"P-Pavo…" Lucy had tears running down her face, and Wendy was crying in her hands as she watched Pavo die. Natsu was outraged, but it was of no use as they watched the flashback continue on, and they all grew ecstatic once they saw the six individual battles of the crew against Lysandre's top subordinates. The entire guild and Legion Corps was astounded by how Volans, Lupus, and Corvus fought, and won. Gildarts looked so proud as Cana defeated Vul, and everyone was shocked as Sophie took down Apus. No surprise with Nic and Greninja taking down Camelo though.

Then came the escalating fear. Lucy gasped in terror and guilt as she saw the King and the twelve Zodiacs bloodied and hurt, and chained behind Lysandre. All felt scared and paralyzed as the power escalated, and no words could be said when Nic went Primal Groudon.

"My word, this energy level…it's almost infinite." Makarov felt the mixed power between Nic and Lysandre, and all never felt so much power in their lives. They all then saw Nic use Precipice Blades, and watched Lysandre retreat. They watched as the flashback ended after the Zodiacs and King were freed, and they returned home.

Nic glowed and shifted back to himself. He slumped down, and was caught by Greninja. He was more than a little tired from using the Mind Plate too much there, but at least now everyone knew what had happened.

Lucy had misty eyes. "All this time…the Spirits were either killed or chained…by that monster." She turned towards Nic, no words coming to mind. "…you saved them."

Nic looked down. "We couldn't have done it without Pavo."

"He was truly a great man." Makarov noted.

Lucy thus explained her side of the story, about how she was needed as a sacrifice and everyone went up to a place called the Infinity Castle. They explained the numerous battles fought up there, and then explained Michelle turning back into a doll. It was sad, but it happened. Then they explained of the Precipice Blades.

Nic gasped. "Are you saying that my Precipice Blades actually crossed over?!"

"Yeah, and it completely reduced the Infinity Clock and Castle to nothing!" Happy added.

"I wonder how that was even possible?" Erza wondered.

Questions arose, but Cana drew up a conclusion. "Maybe because the Infinity Clock uses Celestial power. With Lucy's Celestial Spirit Magic as a key, and that lava explosion, Precipice Blades must have used the core of the castle to cross over and obliterate the clock and castle alike."

"An interesting theory." Makarov thought.

Byro looked conspicuously at Nic. "So, you're responsible for the Infinity Clock's destruction. I'm not sure whether to be thankful or astonished that your power destroyed something so maleficent."

Natsu pumped a fist. "Man, those Spirits you teamed up with kicked butt!"

"Volans, Corvus, and Lupus, were they? They seriously kicked some behind. I sure wouldn't wanna face them." Gray admitted, after seeing their individual fights.

Vanessa looked a little crestfallen. "It's still upsetting that our friend…"

Nic put a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. He was proud in the end."

Everyone thus rejoiced as their connections and mishaps were sorted out, though it was gonna take some time for Lucy to understand and process it all since her Spirits were imprisoned. She just couldn't stop crying, and Natsu was there to ease her. While Lucy was letting it all out, knowing the horrible truth of what happened, everyone took it easy for a bit, and allowed Lucy some time before sundown came, when she felt much better.

At that point, Byro and the Legion Corps decided to leave. "Thank you for your understanding. We must now head back to Zentopia, and seek a new path and purpose."

Makarov nodded in understanding. "Very well, we thank you."

Lucy looked better as she smiled. "You all take care."

Natsu put hands behind his arms. "I bet we'll see you guys again real soon."

"Keep in touch, okay? Let us know if you need our help." Gray noted.

Byro nodded, and so the Legion Corps set off, and Nic, Greninja, Cana, and Sophie looked up as a passing wind went by them. Lucy looked up to, feeling a breeze of relief. She felt happy now that she could summon her Spirits again, and she had the crew to thank.

---

A week went by rather quickly, and as the crew that returned from Fairy Tail decided to rest, the Magic Council, however, was in an uproar. In a long hallway, Lahar and Doranbolt walked, and met up with Org.

"Welcome back, Master Org." Doranbolt greeted. "How was your meeting?"

Org sighed. "As precarious as it could get. These reports of a few Spirits returning is still astonishing; still, I can't help but wonder…" His one eye looked out at the sky in the distance. "What kind of power was accountable?"

Lahar stepped up. "Sir, am I to say that the chairman still intends on blaming Fairy Tail?"

Org scoffed. "Honestly, the chairman beliefs that we're making Zentopia the victim rather than an involved party. He intends to hold the last laugh, of course I on the other hand know that isn't wise."

"Especially with Nic Pularis." Lahar added.

Org nodded. "He can't let it go, despite my better judgement. It's been seven years since the clash between those so-called Pokémon and Acnologia." A small smile appeared on his face. "Still, the face the chairman made was priceless when Nic made that warning. We'd all be wise to stay clear."

Doranbolt tilted his head with a smirk. "Zeref, these Pokémon, Acnologia, and now the universe is on one guy's shoulders? Things just keep getting weird, don't they?"

Org began walking pass them, giving a light chuckle. "That indeed, Doranbolt. That indeed."

---

Makarov led Gildarts down some stairs. It was dark, and barely lit. While others back at the Guild Hall were doing whatever, Gildarts was led to the former Guild Hall, down towards the basement. Each step echoed, and he grew all the more concerned.

"Okay, just where are we heading to exactly?" He asked.

"You'll find out soon enough." Makarov continued the long descent down the staircase.

"Still. Aren't we trespassing?"

"This place shall be ours again soon enough."

Makarov and Gildarts reached the bottom of the stairs, where there was a silver double door. Makarov opened up the doors, and the two entered inside, with Makarov closing the doors behind them.

They now stood in a very spacious chamber, with a shiny Fairy Tail emblem in the middle of the floor. It was elegantly decorated on the sides, and a very large door was in front of them.

Gildarts's curiosity never stopped mounting. "Just what are we dealing with here?"

He turned towards Makarov, and saw two fingers swiping across, and then across again in the opposite direction. He pointed the two fingers forward, and a large golden seal was inscribed on the door.

The door began to open, and inside, Gildarts's eyes widened as his cape began to blow. He suddenly forgot how to breathe. His lips were apart as what was before him was beyond anything he felt, though he couldn't lie when this level of immense power was like that when he saw the flashback of Nic against Lysandre again. The levels there trumped the power before him, but was still grand nonetheless.

"Wha…what the hell is this?" He turned towards Makarov as the shining light was before them. "You mean this was right beneath our feet the entire time?!"

"Behold…Lumen Histoire." Makarov announced, as his own ceremonial cape flew from the force. "This overwhelming feeling, it may not be like Lysandre, for his essence is pure eternal evil of infinite levels, but witness Fairy Tail's essence, the one of which Mavis spoke of."

Gildarts only stared. No words came to mind as he looked at the shocking phenomenon before him. He stepped back. "I don't…I'm speechless."

"I don't blame you." Makarov stated. "When Precht revealed this to me, I nearly forgot how to breathe." The mention of Precht didn't seem too bothersome, despite how Makarov nearly lurched when he remembered the former Master being killed by no trouble by Lysandre.

Gildarts turned towards the smaller man. "Hold on, why are you showing this to me?"

Makarov's deep glare rid Gildarts of any sense of awe, and was replaced by a case of seriousness. The gaze he was given was startling, and it looks very expectant.

"Like the previous Masters before me, it is my duty to pick the next Master." He paused as Gildarts's eyes stared at a loss for anything to comprehend.

"Gildarts Clive, you shall be the next Master of Fairy Tail."

---

In an open field, with rubble, two figures were seen, and they looked pretty calm and collective. One was blonde, and the other had black hair. Both looked out, disregarding the number of Dark Guild soldiers they had taken down from a few minutes ago.

"You hear?" The blonde asked as wind shifted in his hair. "The members of Fairy Tail that traveled through time seven years ago are back."

The black-haired guy looked up. "I don't care."

"Come on, yes you do. I can tell you looked up to Natsu just like I did."

The black-haired man still had his back turned. "That was a long time ago, back when we were kids."

The blonde snickered. "True." It was quiet for awhile before he spoke up again. "Still, you were a fan of Gajeel especially. I didn't care, he was scary."

"I know." The man's face turned towards the sky. "Still, I can't lie when I admit that it is fortunate both Gajeel and Nic Pularis have come back."

The blonde stood up. "Still out for a little revenge from what he did?"

The black-haired man looked back down. "It's not that I want to admit I want vengeance and answers, but-!"

"Sting!"

"Rogue!"

The mentioned turned around, and Sting turned around to face where the voices came from, as did Rogue. "Lector, Frosch, where were you guys?"

Lector was an Exceed. He had red fur and pointed ears. He had narrow eyes and a blue west. Frosch, however, was green with large eyes full of wonder and had a pink, black-spotted frog suit.

Lector scoffed. "Oh, just a little scouting. I still say those First Generation Dragon Slayers and that Nic fella got nothing on you, that's for sure."

"Fro thinks so too!" Frosch agreed.

Sting smirked. "I know, right?" He crouched down, and he gave his little Exceed pal a high-five.

"You're the strongest ever! And Natsu and Nic are gonna see it soon enough!" Lector proclaimed.

All four began walking away, looking nonchalant as they felt satisfied. Rogue was followed by Frosch, while Lector followed Sting.

Sting clenched a fist. "Ya know, I think I can take Natsu easily."

"No duh, you are the strongest Dragon Slayer out there!" Lector noted.

Sting snickered and turned towards Rogue. "Challenging them soon enough sounds fun, what do you say?"

"Not interested. I don't care." Rogue stated, not nearly as competitive as Sting.

"Fro thinks so too!" Frosch agreed.

All four went on ahead, back towards the Guild Hall, with their sights set on victory and being the strongest of them all.

---

And that's the end of the Celestial Siege Arc! What did you guys think? Was the arc good? Details great? Anything that was appealing to it? I added a lot of originality to it for extra flavor, so if you guys have any opinions or comments on the Celestial Siege Arc, leave a review.

All in all, how did you guys also like Volans, Lupus, Corvus, and Pavo? Did you grow fond of them? Were they likeable, and were their friendship and values touching?

I'll be honest, the entire second half of the fight, I was in a blank space. I had no idea what I was writing, but near the end, I was getting a grasp again as I was listening to the Primal Kyogre/Groudon music as motivation. Still, it may not be the best fight between Nic and Lysandre, in my opinion, but please tell me what you guys thought.

I know I keep tormenting you guys with Nic and Erza still not being official, even after they both embraced and apologized this chapter, but I know what I'm doing. Trust me on this, Nic and Erza will become official VERY soon! I won't say, but until then, I'll keep giving the teases and tender moments between the two.

And so, the next chapter shall begin the GMG Arc, the final arc of the story! It'll be big, and a bit of originality, obviously, so be ready for huge things to go down, especially with Nic having 17 Plates and nearing being official with Erza!

Please Favorite, Follow, & Review this story and/or chapter if you guys enjoyed the arc's end, and how the battle played out!

---

Next Time: The One I Love