The Knight and the Beast
Chapter Thirteen: The Curse Ends
As Jellal and Lucy watched from above, Erza, Natsu, and the others fought. Gray would whack them on the head as Juvia drenched them in water. Elfman would burn the men's asses and Evergreen would ram into them. Gajeel would be dropped on their heads by Natsu. The dragon and Loke would blow fire onto their bodies, causing the men to run around and jump into the lake. If that didn't work, Natsu would knock them off their feet with his tail as Gray and Gajeel whack them.
Erza walked steadily to Midnight with Laxus at her back and Freed and Bickslow on her sides. They knocked those who were in their way; Erza didn't have to use her sword and simply knocked them out in one punch. Once they reached to Midnight, Erigor stood between them.
"More aside Erigor," Laxus said.
"I'm under orders to not," Erigor said.
"Fine," the tall blonde said. He unsheathed his twin blades and faced Erigor. "Freed, Bickslow, watch over Erza. I'll handle this joker."
"I'd like to see you try," Erigor said. He turned to Midnight who nodded. He turned back to Laxus and sadistically smiled. "Bring it Blondie."
As they went off to the side, Erza went closer to Midnight.
"You can stop this. It can end right now," Erza said.
"I can't do that actually. Not with everyone watching and after coming so far. What will the villagers think?" Midnight said. "I could hear them now: Midnight retreated! What a cowardly fool!"
"Then you leave me no choice," Erza said. She grabbed the hilt of her sword and held it up, pointing to Midnight's throat. "I'll stop you here and now."
Midnight smirked. They circled around in the courtyard. The villagers stopped fighting with the objects to watch the battle begin. The objects turned around and started placing bets.
"My money's on Erza," Gajeel said.
"I don't know Metal Head, this confused looking guy has a lot of rage built up," Gray said.
"Erza's a man and that's why she'll win!" Elfman yelled, scaring all the men by igniting the stovetop.
"She's a girl Elf-nii," Lisanna said.
"Place your bets! Place your bets here!" Cana yelled A circle of objects formed around the goblet, waving paper tabs, bags of coins, and expensive heirlooms from the castle.
Natsu glared to the battle. They didn't have time for this. Jellal was going to die and everyone would stay as they are. He wouldn't be with Lucy. The dragon looked up to the balcony where he saw blonde.
Wait a little longer Jellal, Lucy. Erza will be finished with him in no time!
Lucy looked down to the battle about to start. She bit her lip hard. What if she doesn't make it out? Everything will be lost; her home, her family…Natsu.
"Lucy…" Said girl turned around and looked to Jellal; he was getting worst. His breathing was shallow, he looked pained. But there was still a spark of hope in his brown eyes. "Don't worry; Erza will pull through."
Lucy looked into Jellal's eyes; he meant it. He truly believed in Erza. The blonde smiled to herself and nodded. "Yes Jellal. She'll make it."
{Line Skip}
Erza was losing. She was losing bad. They were both winded, yes. But the redhead had barely landed any hits on Midnight and he had landed plenty on her Blood stained her cheek, cuts on her arms and legs. Yet the only damage she had inflicted on him was a couple of slashes on his leg and side.
She didn't have much time. The clocks within the castle rang together, letting everyone know that there was only ten minutes till midnight.
Erza managed to catch the eyes of her friends. They had hope. They were putting all they had, all that they are, into her hands.
Don't worry everyone, Era thought. I'll kick this-
Her thoughts were interrupted by a kick to her torso. Erza coughed up blood as she was flung into the wooden doors. They broke and Erza flew inside the castle. She tumbled until she slammed her back into the stone stairs. Pieces of rock floated in the air until the fell to the ground. Erza heard people yelling from outside Fairy Tail. She tried getting up, but there was a sharp pain in her leg.
"Tch!"
"Ah! This is a bea-utiful castle," Midnight said, stepping over the broken doors. "A little gloomy, but it'll do."
"I-I won't let you."
"You can't stop me. I will-"
"Erza!" Lucy ran down the stairs from the West Wing. "Erza! You're in worst shape than I thought!" The blonde knelt down beside the knight.
"L-Lucy…" Erza muttered.
"The witch will lead me to the beast," Midnight said, closing in on the two girls.
Shit! "Lucy, get to Jellal and leave the castle," Erza said, pushing Lucy away from her.
"I won't leave you here to die!" Lucy yelled.
"We will both die if you don't get out of here!" Erza yelled back. "I'll handle him on my own! Just go!"
Lucy gripped Erza's armour before running up the stairs to Jellal's room. Don't die Erza! the blonde thought running through the halls.
Erza held her sword up to stop Midnight. His red eyes looked down to her. He swatted her blade out of her hand. It slid on the tile floor as Midnight grabbed Erza's armour and held her in the air. Erza's brown eyes glared with rage to him.
Midnight tilted his head. "We could've avoided all this Erza. I wouldn't have to do this if you had agreed to by my wife. And now look; your family and these friends of yours are going to suffer."
Erza spar onto Midnight's face. In rage, he threw her into a pillar. Midnight wiped the spit from his face before glaring to the redhead's direction.
"I think that Blonde-Girl would make a better wifey than you," Midnight said. "Imagine all the things I could do to her at night." Erza's rage grew stronger when he saw the sickening sadistic grin on his face. "But I have to get rid of the beast and that dragon first." He followed in Lucy's direction.
"Don't…" Erza whispered. "Don't…DON'T TOUCH THEM!"
"ERZA!" Laxus yelled.
The others ran inside of the castle. Loke looked around for Wendy.
"Where's Wendy?"
"Lucy took her!"
"Where's Lucy?!"
With Jellal, Natsu said, poking his head through the front. I've kept the others at bay. But it won't last long. Erza, let Lacy, Fred, and Bickslow get Jellal and Lucy.
"It's Laxus!"
"It's Freed!"
"Funny how he got my name right."
"No, I'll go too," Erza said. "I told Lucy that I'll handle him. I'm not intending to break that promise."
"Erza, there'-s"
"AHHHH!" A scream came from outside.
LUCY! Natsu yelled.
Erza's orbs widened. Lucy! That means-! Adrenaline filled Erza's veins. The pain went away (Temporally, she reminded herself) and she stood up.
"I'M GOING AHEAD!" Erza yelled as she picked up her sword from the floor. "NATSU! GET LUCY! I'LL GET JELLAL OUT OF THERE!"
{Line Skip}
Lucy ran into the room. Jellal looked startled.
"Erza's defeated; we have to leave," she said. "Now!"
"I won't leave everyone here Lucy," Jellal said.
"Please, My Prince," Lucy said. "We don't have-"
The door flew open, revealing Midnight. Lucy's eyes widened as she trembled with a mixture of fear and anger.
"Much time…" the blonde barely whispered.
Midnight angrily pointed his finger at Lucy. "You!" He briskly walked up to Lucy.
"Lucy!" Wendy yelled.
Midnight kicked Lucy into the balcony railing.
"AHHHH!" she screamed as she slammed into the metal railing. Lucy rolled over, supporting herself on all fours. She looked up to see that he saw towering over her.
"LU-CHAN!"
"You cause me a lot of trouble Witch," Midnight said slowly. He grabbed Lucy's throat and held her over the balcony.
"LUCY!" Jellal yelled.
Lucy clawed at Midnight's fingers as she struggled to breathe. Midnight smiled sadistically, he tightened his grip on her neck. Her arms eventually fell to her sides. Her breathing shallowed.
LUCY! Midnight looked down and saw the red dragon glaring back at him. PUT HER DOWN!
"Na…tsu…" Lucy whimpered. She opened her teary eyes; her brown orbs looked down to the dragon. "Natsu…Sor…ry…"
"Tch…And here I thought I could have fun with you before I killed the beast and dragon. I'm done with you." He let go of Lucy.
"NO!" Jellal screamed. He ran to the balcony. He reached over to grab Lucy. Her fingered grazed his paw as she fell. For him, time slowed down. His brown eyes widened. "Lucy…"
LUCY! Natsu yelled.
"NATSU!" Lucy screamed.
The dragon shot into the sky and sped towards Lucy. He wrapped his front legs protectively around Lucy.
Lucy?! LUCY?!
Lucy opened her eyes and saw red scales. The blonde smiled warmly and laid her head against the warm scales. "Thank you Natsu."
The dragon smirked.
"Aim for the wings!" Midnight's voice rang in the air. "FIRE!"
"What?!" Lucy yelled.
Some of the men had guns with them and were shooting at Natsu's wings. The dragon roared in pain. He flipped over so that his back was facing the ground and Lucy was on his front with his legs protecting her.
"Natsu!" she yelled.
We'll be fine Lucy, Natsu said. I'll protect you.
But who will protect you Natsu? Lucy thought, burying her face into his scales.
"Move! Or the dragon will crush us all!"
"LUCY! NATSU!" Jellal yelled as a loud crash erupted when Natsu's body came in contact with the ground. Jellal's eyes went hard as he glared to the man who caused so much pain to his family.
Midnight was looking right back to the prince. "So, you're the beast."
Jellal grabbed Midnight's head and bashed it against the balcony railing. Midnight's forehead was badly bruised and bleeding when Jellal threw him into the wall. Jellal towered over Midnight. His red eyes cowered as he looked into Jellal's fierce brown eyes.
"You shouldn't hurt those precious to a beast," Jellal growled. "Or you'll be killed."
"H-ha. Ha…Try me Beast," Midnight stuttered, trying to sound courageous.
The prince lifted Midnight up from his collar and held him over the balcony. It was hard for Jellal as he was losing his strength by the second. He had to finish him off quick then find before time runs out.
"JELLAL!" someone yelled behind them. Jellal turned to see Erza heaving at the doors. She was covered in blood, bruises, and cuts. But to him, she'll always look beautiful. "You're safe."
"Erza…"
This is my chance! Midnight thought. He looked around and saw a part of the railing that had a pointed edge. He broke it off and thrust it into Jellal's heart.
Erza's brown eyes widened and she moved to push Jellal away from Midnight. But it felt like she was moving in slow motion; she couldn't stop it.
"NO!" she screamed.
"This is what you brought onto yourself Erza!" Midnight yelled. "The death of the one you love!"
Erza managed to make Jellal let go of Midnight. He in turned grabbed the railing. Erza tightened her grip on her father's blade as she stabbed Midnight's chest. His red eyes looked up to Erza.
"Go. To. Hell." She pulled her sword from his chest and pushed him off the balcony railing to fall to his death on the rocked in the lake.
Erza turned around, finding Jellal leaning against the doorway.
"JELLAL!"
{Line Skip}
Lucy's eyes fluttered open. Dust was settling around her. Yelling was in the air. She heard the familiar groan of Natsu. She got up and found her bearings. She was on Natsu's stomach and everyone was still fighting.
Lucy's slid off Natsu and went to his head. She stroked his face around his eyes. "Natsu…Natsu…"
The onyx eye started opening. Lucy smiled warmly at Natsu. The dragon grinned; You alright Luce?
The blonde nodded; "I'm fine. What about you Natsu?"
Never better.
"JELLAL!" Erza's voice ran in the air. Everyone stopped and looked to the balcony.
Until now.
"Oh no…" Lucy whispered "Natsu."
Yeah Natsu flipped to stand on his legs.
"Everyone, to the West Wing!" Lucy yelled as she climbed on Natsu. "We have to get rid of these men."
I got it. Natsu started to breathe fire around the men. He held his head high, looking down to the men before him. Leave this place and never return.
The men ran over the bridge, into the forest. Probably back to their village. Natsu shook his head and Lucy pat his neck. Natsu flew up to the balcony, dropping the blonde off, before perching himself on the roof.
Lucy saw the damage Midnight had done Jellal was bleeding heavily while laying on Erza's lap. She didn't see Midnight.
"Midnight?" She came over and knelt next to Jellal.
"He's dead. No one will attack Fairy Tail anymore," Erza said. "But…Jellal…Lucy, he's…It's my fault…I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"Hey…Shhh…" Jellal rasped out. "It's not you fault Erza."
Everyone ran into the balcony. A collective gasp was heard followed by the females sobbing in pain. Jellal looked to his family and smiled sadly.
"Lucy."
The blonde took his paw and held it tight. "Yes My Prince?"
"Take care of everyone. I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you," Jellal said.
Lucy shook her head as tears fell from her eyes like a steady river. "It was no trouble Sire. It's been a pleasure…to…Hah…I…" She hunched over and laid her head on his stomach. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
As Lucy sobbed, Erza's shoulders started shaking with unheard sobs. Jellal raised his paw and placed it on her cheek. She gripped his paw tightly as her tears flowed freely.
"It's not you fault Erza. It will never be."
"Jellal, I-"
"You came back. I'm happy that I got to see you again."
"No. No, no, no!" Erza yelled.
"Erza, I-"
"You won't! You won't! I won't let you die on me Jellal."
Jellal smiled, letting his life slip away. His paw fell from Erza's cheek onto her lap. His head fell over closer to her body as he breathed out his last words.
Goodbye, My Love.
"Don't…Don't leave me Jellal. Your family…they need you. I need you." Erza bent down so her forehead was on his right eye. "I need you…I love you Jellal."
The bells in the castle rang, letting everyone know that it was midnight. The servants of the castle looked to the rose, just as the last petal fell. Sad faces were seen all around. Natsu released an agonizing roar into the chilly night.
"Lucy…I can't tell you how much I'm-"
"No. You shouldn't say sorry. It's not your fault." Lucy sat up properly and looked to Erza with red rimmed eyes. "He wanted you to be happy, not blaming yourself for this."
Erza sat up and nodded slowly. "Lucy, if it's alright with you, I would to stay-"
Blue light beams came down from the sky, moving in circles around the castle. The beams stopped and landed on Natsu's chest, the servants' bodies, and Jellal's head. The light engulfed everyone but Lucy and Erza. They both shuffled away from Jellal's body.
"What's happening?!" Erza asked.
Lucy allowed a smile to appear on her face as happy tears came down. "I can' believe it! Erza!" The redhead was pulled into a tight hug from the blonde. "You did it! The curse is broken! The spell is lifting!"