Fairy Tail: The Final Bout

by Tyoung32

Finally, (After more unfinished work) After all they've. Even through, Fairy Tail and White Eclipse have decided to take it back to the beginning, yet the end. It was time to decide which guild was truly number one. The only way to decide, was an all out fight between their bests. Who will win? Will Fairy Tail remain supreme? Or will White Eclipse finally take the throne?

4. Chapter 4: A Demon's Cry To Heaven

Chapter 4: A Demon's Cry to Heaven

"Hey! How ya feeling?" Jaxon asked once Waiston finally reached his team. Smiling and waving, he slid his hands back into the pockets of his Dragon scaled jacket once asked, giving a shrug. "Nothing a bit of ice can't fix. Like I told her when we were fighting. She's quick, but her attacks lack aggression, so she was barely doing any damage."

"It looked like she almost had you." Heather added with a sly smirk, to which Waiston merely shook his head, laughing. "That Sky Arrow thing? I would have survived it, trust me!"

"Okay but freezing air?" Selene asked with a raised brow. "We pulling off illogical miracles now?"

"Coming from you of all people Selene, that's a vote of confidence for me!" Cheesing, Waiston turned to sit down on a large glacier of ice he just created, sitting with his legs folded in as he stretched out the soreness from his battle. "Welp guys, we're now three and oh!"

"Two and oh." Cygnus corrected. Waiston then corrected again himself. "Three. Arc is up."

Cygnus nodded with a grin. "Point taken."

"Hey!" The gunslinger yelled, capturing everyone's attention, but the world knew who he was calling for. "How long are you going to hide behind your guild!? They're slowly slipping by the numbers, Erza! Aren't you going to save them!? Or are you aware that the second you step into that ring, that it's another loss for Fairy Tail!?"

"I'm going next." She steamed, glaring towards then raven haired S class Mage of Fairy Tail.

"No you're not." Laxus would rebuttal. "The last thing we need, is for you to lose, not because he was better, but because he was in your head before your match had even started. Sit back. You'll know when it's your time. Besides, every match so far, White Eclipse has initiated the matchup, but I haven't seen Reve eager to make his way to the battlefield yet. Stop falling into the mind games."

"You're right." She said after taking a deep breath to calm down. "Let's just keep doing what we're doing, and root for Jellal. We'll turn this thing around yet!"

Natsu was all for it, shouting "YEAH!" With a fist in the air before cupping his hands around his mouth to yell. "Alright Jellal, kick his ass! We need him down right here!"

"We need all three of them down if we wanna stand a chance." Gildarts thought to himself, scanning his eyes at the three targets he was internally speaking off. "Arcturus, Adamantine...and of course, Sidney Castle."

"Mages ready!?" An understatement of a question. The golden aura around Jellal continued to cause the Earth beneath them to rumble as Arcturus stood rock steady. Arcturus, the last remaining Demon, fully converted to a White Eclipse Mage once again. With his pitch black shaggy hair slowly wavering upwards, a blackened aura began to manifest around his person. Grin slowly emerging, Arcturus then addressed the Heavenly Body Mage before him.

"It's too bad killing isn't allowed, huh? I'd love to tear you limb from limb, Jellal."

Standing in his erupting aura of gold, Jellal himself managed a grin of his own. "It sounds like you're not fully converted back to a good guy, Arcturus. You're not still holding a grudge on what happened back during Tartarus, are you?"

"Don't get me wrong." The demon replied. "I'm more than satisfied...being back by Takeru's side. That doesn't excuse the way I got here, though."

The longer the two stood before each other with their erupting auras, the more the trembling around them picked up — Arcturus and Jellal unaffected, yet most of the bystanders bracing themselves as they waited for what could be the most explosive fight so far.

Slowly, Arc pointed a finger Jellal's way as the aura around him picked up. A heinous look upon the Demon's features as he once more called out to the former criminal. "This time, the Oracion Seis won't be here to save you! I'll crush you!"

"Go!"

"Meteor!" Jellal exclaimed, and in a flash, the blue haired male left his position, soaring right past the unmoving Arcturus only to swoop around with his right fist cocked back. With bandaged eyes constricting his eye sight, the anticipating Demon's ears perked as Jellal passed him. As Jellal then swung his first punch, a simple head tilt to the side avoided the Heavenly Body Punch. Nonchalant, yet without hesitation, with Jellal within a close proximity, Arc simply raised his right fist for a back-fist that slammed directly into Jellal's nose. With his momentum sending him forward, yet his head snapping back, Jellal went into a tumbling mess — recovering finally as he skidded to a stop on one knee — right hand holding his already damaged nose from the single punch. A toothy grin then appeared upon Arcturus's features.

"Bow."

The Demon's demand only riled Jellal up as he took off in Meteor once again, rushing towards Arcturus at full speed. Once he reached melee range, a plethora of punches were thrown, each from Jellal aiming for Arcturus's head. Parrying a few, the Darkness Demon continued to easily evade the rest of them — finally retaliating with yet another hard punch — this time to the top of Jellal's skull. The force from the punch sent the former criminal into the ground, the impact from his face first fall causing a crater the shape of Jellal's own face.

"A damned monster!" Bickslow shouted as he watched the one-sided fight commencing. "Demon..." Gray corrected as he sighed at the sight of Jellal being manhandled for the match's start. "But don't count Jellal out yet. He can turn this around I'm sure."

"He will!" Natsu shouted, yet baring his teeth in concern at the battlefield.

"Come on. I haven't even expelled any magic yet." Arc boasted as he raised his right leg. He went for a stomp to Jellal's back, but the Crime Sorcerer leader was able to roll out the way just in time, causing the demon to hit nothing but earth. "Hm?" He hummed as Jellal took to the air in his Meteor once again. Soaring high into the sky, Jellal placed his left hand upon his right forearm. From his now open right palm, the Heavenly Body Mage fired off a large beam of raw heavenly magic that now fired towards an unmoving Arcturus. He stared as he beam rushed towards him, as if he could physically see what was heading for him. Finally, another grin appeared upon his features as Arc remained still — the beam of magic exploding upon contact and creating a large cloud of smoke and debris.

"Direct hit!" Lucy shouted. She then suddenly dropped the charade as she sighed. "At least? That's what I would say, if it were true."

Everyone was aware. It was no surprise, and as the smoke cleared, Arcturus was seen surrounded by a bubble of Darkness Demon magic. It perfectly shielded him.

"A distraction, huh!?" Arc shouted with perking ears. He then turned around completely, facing a blindsiding Jellal who swung his left, heavenly fist for Arc's jawline. The demon was able to avoid once more, but a connection was still made, though just a grazing knuckle against his opposing cheek. It caused him to flinch.

"You're open!" Jellal yelled, now swinging for the fences with an uppercut that started at the hip, aiming for the underside of Arc's chin.

"Don't get cocky!" Arc shouted in return. He leaned back to avoid the incoming uppercut, but to his surprise, Jellal halted his swing simultaneously to the action. "Feint?" He questioned, but eyebrows then rose in disbelief as Jellal opened his palm, right hand clasped against his forearm once more as he fired a powerful blast of Heavenly Magic directly into the sternum of the Demon of White Eclipse.

"Now that's a direct hit!" Lucy shouted with a fist pump as Arcturus was sent flying, crashing into the ground with an explosive result. Gradually as the smoke began to clear, Arc's silhouette became visible, the demon standing up slowly as he dusted himself off. A bit bruised, the White Eclipse member turned bandaged eyes back to he former criminal. "I didn't believe it at first..." He began, walking towards Jellal at a stalking pace. "...But after everything we've all been through, it's undoubtable proof. Having resolve and a reason to fight to live...it does make you stronger. Humans have really showcased such a strength over time. It's the one thing our enemies lacked, even me at one time..."

As Arc continued to walk forward, Jellal kept a readied stance, cautiously waiting for any attack to spring forth. But...Arc continued on. "You...you built your entire strength...your entire magic core around redeeming yourself for the sins you've created and the crimes you committed. How noble. But now that they're all gone, what are you now? Me however..." He stopped walking, raising a hand to clench it before his own blinded sights. "I'm the exact opposite. I fought for no reason besides bloodshed and despair. That's all I wanted to see. That's not resolve, no. But then, that scrawny Dragon Slayer saved me. Not once, but twice. So what does this even mean?" Lingering on the question, a pitch black light began to shine through his clenched fist. "It means I've chosen, Jellal!" Cackling ensued, so maniacal that those who heard would have thought Arcturus was still evil if they didn't know better. "When Takeru freed me from Tartarus, I had he option to go wherever I wanted! I could have been wandering the world, remaining a myth to those lucky to catch a glimpse of the last remaining demon! But instead...instead, I found my resolve in Takeru and White Eclipse!" As the demon shouted, the black light in his fist became bright exponentially. "I've chosen to protect that scrawny Dragon Slayer and his...our family's pride and wellbeing no matter the cost! So what is your strength compared to MINE!"

Upon his exclamation, Arc finally took action, raising his glowing fist into the air. "Darkness Demon's Erupting Fist!" The Demon himself then slammed his fist into the ground, a small hole just the size of his balled up hand. A full second of nothing passed before finally, the ground beneath Jellal began to erupt in black lights shining through the increasing crack formation within the earth before finally exploding in a massive eruption.

Panting heavily just from the shock and close call, Jellal somehow made it out by the skin of his teeth — the blue haired male now floating high in the air above all the chaos. "Too close...I was almost finished.." He murmured to himself.

"Don't worry, Jellal. You'll definitely be finished soon!" Arc replied, causing Jellal to widen his eyes. "He can hear me from way up here!?"

"Loud and clear!" Arcturus shouted, crouching low to the ground. As he did, familiar long black wings protruded from his back, spreading far before flapping once; Arcturus rocketing into the air at a breakneck pace.

Unable to avoid in time, Jellal looked on in shock as blood trickled from his forced open mouth. A powerful right punch dug deep into his abdomen, causing the crimson to leak from his mouth and fall like raindrops back to the ground.

"Ouch..." Bacchus cringed. "I'm pretty sure that's the first sign-a bloodshed from fists, yeah? Wild."

"FOUR!"

"Just as I thought. He's having trouble alone." A familiar voice said, causing Bacchus to turn around with an arched brow until he put the faces together. "Heh, I was wondering if his posse was gonna show to root him on." The drunk said, now looking towards Midnight, Cobra, Hot Eye, Racer, Angel, and Meredy. Cobra smirked, arms folded as he kept his one eye upon the match. "I could hear him losing on the way here...but don't think he's done. There's still plenty Jellal has left, and that Demon won't see it coming. I don't mean that literally."

Bacchus then turned back around to continue enjoying the fight. "I like it! Let's see the outcome then!"

Jellal fell to the ground, just barely catching himself as he landed on all fours in a deep crouch. Now, holding his stomach, he turned his pained sights back to the flying demon above, squinting to focus his blurred visage. A powerful punch to the gut did that much to him, proving once more that Arcturus was a dominant fighter when it came to pure strength. Slowly, he took in as much air as he could with each breath; dying for recovery, for a second wind. At the same time, his mind began racing in a bit of a panic.

"He's really this strong. It's a whole different thing to fight him on my own. Without Macbeth here to deflect his magic, or Erik to call out his attacks...Richard can't slow him down for me with his earth..." Coming to what seemed like a realization, small grin appeared on Jellal's features. "He's extremely powerful. He'd be nothing but trouble for Fairy Tail if I don't defeat him here...—" Slowly his head raised as Arc began swooping towards him like an osprey. " — so that means I have to defeat him, even if it means I go down too..!"

Keep his smirk manifested, Jellal began glowing once more, activating his Meteor spell. Just before Arc could reach him, Jellal took off into the air once again, high near the stratosphere. "Oh no you don't!" Arcturus yelled, slamming his feet into the ground for a fast landing, only to launch into the air once again, directly behind Jellal. With this, the blue haired mage stopped on a dime, gradually pulling his hands together — on top of each other with the middle and index finger erected. "Be judged by the seven stars, Demon." From just above, seven magic seals appeared hovering over Jellal. It caused Arc to give a wicked grin as he continued to pursue him. "Give it all you got, criminal!"

"Gladly. Grand Chariot!"

From those seven magic seals that outlined he constellation "The Big Dipper," a massive amount of heavenly light began raining down past Jellal, all aimed for Arcturus. At first the demon's eyes widened, yet in that same second, his surprise at the more powerful Grand Chariot he's ever faced, turned into excited features as the demon began acrobatically flying through the air to avoid what he could. The closer the gap between himself and Jellal became however, the more abundant and powerful the Grand Chariot was, and soon, Arcturus was being pelted by the heavy rain of heavenly light — just as he reached out for Jellal's throat, inches away before the onslaught began. Somehow, Jellal Fernandes was able to remain focused despite the sharp claws of Arcturus less than inches away from sinking into his neck.

The action didn't escape everyone's eyes however, as Gildarts further delved. "They're really after each other. I mean, really after each other."

"That's a vague way to put it." Laxus added. "Arcturus was actually about to tear Jellal's throat out from him. And that Grand Chariot..I'm sure he's depleting his magic right now, because that's the strongest Grand Chariot I've ever seen from him. These two, no matter how much each guild has gotten under each other's skin, may have the most hate for each other, and I don't even know why."

Arc crashed hard to the ground, but the Grand Chariot had no sign of letting up. The rain of heavenly light continued relentlessly, smashing into the ground directly where White Eclipse's demon crash landed, exploding on top of explosions of Jellal's magic. In the air, Jellal could be seen panting heavily as it continued. "Hey...Hey!" Erza yelled, causing his ears to perk. "I know..." He whispered. "But it has to be done—"

Immediately he was cut off by what sounded like a primal like scream. Suddenly, a powerful output of blackened aura manifested from where Arcturus landed during his fall, followed by an explosion of raw magic power that blew away the remaining of the Grand Chariot, causing Jellal to stop.

"There's no way!" He yelled out, exhausted as he touched down back to the ground.

"Yes!" Reve yelled, pumping his fist as the rest of White Eclipse could see the winged silhouette of The Demon, Arcturus through the cloud of smoke. As it cleared, he appeared heavily damaged, but his facial expression showed no signs of grievance or pain...just anger.

"Putting all of your hopes into one attack.. how foolish against a Demon with resolve." He murmured just loud enough for everyone to hear. The former criminal clenched his teeth in annoyance and frustration as Arc began inhaling the air around him. Along with said action, the earth beneath them began to tremble the longer he inhaled.

"He just got done calling him out for depleting his magic, but he's about to do the same!?" Hibiki asked, utterly confused from the sidelines. That's when Cobra laughed. "You see a devastating attack coming and you believe he's using all that he has? This is why you're an extra." That's when Angel gave him a look. "Hey, just who's side are you on?"

"Darkness...—"

"Now!" Jellal yelled, sliding back as he crossed his arms like an "X" over his head. Natsu and Erza's eyes then widened at the familiar stance as a flashback to The Tower of Heaven appeared in their minds. "Is he really?" Natsu asked, unsure how to feel as the shadows around Jellal and Arcturus began to pull towards the former criminal.

"Demon's..."

Soon, a small, black orb formed just above Jellal's ascended arms, growing in size rapidly. It grew a core of small white lights, resembling a clear night sky.

"Screech!" Finally, after enough accumulation, Arcturus fired off a ginormous beam of Darkness Demon Magic that shot towards Jellal like a laser. Simultaneously however..

"Altairis!" Jellal swung his arms down, firing off the large, blackened ball directly towards the incoming Demon's cry. The impending connection happened dead center of the battlefield, causing everyone to hold on for balance. Altairis and The Demon's Screech battling for control and domination, but as Arc had to hold form for his attack to continue, Jellal was relieved from his, allowing him to slowly spread his stance a bit wider as he took on yet another familiar pose — one that caused the Oracion Seis to both grin...and cringe.

"Do it, ya softy! Don't let him escape!" Cobra yelled out from where he stood. Jellal didn't need confirmation, but the voice of one of his comrades definitely gave him the push he needed. Dark clouds began to circle from above, leaving an opening in the middle like a cyclone.

"It's your choice, Arcturus." Jellal said with harmful intent in his visage. "You said that I don't have the resolve anymore, Arcturus!? You're wrong! My sins may have been washed away, but my concern for Erza and her friends will forever remain.. and since I volunteered to represent Fairy Tail today, that means their hopes and ambitions, at this moment, are on my shoulders. Do you think I'd let that fall before me!? Underestimating me will be your downfall today, Demon of White Eclipse! Now, the choice is yours! Fall to Altairis, or Sema!"

As he yelled out the True Heavenly Body spell, a magic Meteor forced its way out of the opening above, causing the entire area to tremble and break apart as it entered the atmosphere, rushing directly towards Arcturus.

"Arcturus!" Takeru shouted out, quickly standing up with both fists clenched as he watched on worriedly.

"Annoying..." Brows raised as Arc spoke calmly through his breath like attack. Soon, the Demon's Screech would shut off, giving Altairis an open path. Arc simply stood up once more, huffing once in annoyance as his right hand slowly raised. "Your attacks, your boasting; all annoying chants. Why can't you just take your defeat like you're supposed to?!" As he released his grief, Arc reached up, and grabbed the bandages that concealed his eyes. "You think you can just make this up as you go along, Jellal? Their hopes and ambitions? This is a fight to prove which guild is once and for all the strongest in Fiore. What ambition and hope does this provide!? None, so now, I'll expose this lie you're living in!" As he yelled, Arc ripped the bandages off with one pull. Right after, his eyes shot open, revealing his reddish pupils. Suddenly, like a sickness, everyone watching could feel the tremendous spike in magic power radiating from the Demon. "I'll show you something I haven't shown someone like you since I was with Tartarus. I'll show you, despair. Demon...Drive!"

In one notion, the plethora of magic seeping from Arcturus shot out like an explosion, yet receding back to him to just an outline around his frame. Still, the effect was still there, and the rise in abilities could still be felt from all around. Now, focusing his magic into his hands, Arcturus placed both hands out forward, catching Altairis bare handed as he continuously slid backwards from the force. As this happened, Jellal's jaw dropped open, the ex criminal shaking in fear and disbelief as Arc slowly reared back his left arm, clenching a fist covered in Darkness Magic. "HERE! TAKE BACK YOUR PATHETIC NIGHT SKY!" He yelled at the top of his lungs as he swung his left fist forward, slamming it into Altairis with immeasurable force. Just like he proclaimed, Arcturus indeed went the spell flying back towards Jellal at twice the speed.

"I-Impossible!" Jellal shouted in a stammer, shaking, wide and timid eyed. "Jellal! Move!" Erza and the others shouted variably, but it was apparent that he couldn't out of sheer disbelief. That's when a massive explosion of his own magic took place, covering a large radius with where Jellal stood being the center point of it all.

"JELLAL!" Concern from Titania reigned louder than anyone else's. Arc slowly turned his sights upwards now, as Sema was just directly above him, yet he treated the situation as just another below average spell. "It'd be a shame to have a draw because I underestimated this thing, so I'll make sure it's gone."

Arcturus then slightly crouched, spreading both arms out as a Dark Magic began to manifest and swirl into a giant orb in each hand. Soon, slamming his hands together, the two dark orbs joined together to create one giant one just before Arc himself. Holding it waist-side, The Demon licked his lips past his jagged teeth as his tongue hung from mouth. "Darkness Demon's Hammer!"

"He's planning on taking the Meteor on!?" Lucy shouted in shock, confusion, and hope — hope that he wouldn't succeed, for such a positive result for Arcturus would paint an obvious picture of despair for Fairy Tail to know that he had survived to fight another round.

"There's no way!" Gray shouted as well, but Arc was now out to prove them wrong as he released a war cry from the top of his lungs, swinging his connected fists towards the falling meteor known as Sema. Connection was made, followed by a struggle between the two attacks, Sema and the Demon's Hammer. The struggle caused Arcturus to dig his feet into the ground, deepening the crater with each passing second as the outcome was still unclear. That's when Takeru shouted once again.

"This is it! Jellal is gone! All you have to do is survive! Give it everything, ARCTURUS!"

Grinning at his friend's voice, Arc simply replied to himself. "Of course you idiot...I wouldn't give it any less for my comrades! I'LL TAKE THIS WIN!"

As he exclaimed and proclaimed his victory, his words came to fruition as Sema began to crack viciously. The cracks took over the entire meteor until finally, it exploded harmlessly, falling to the ground in sparkling pieces as Arc stood in the midst of the falling rock.

The second everyone realized that Sema was no more, an uproar of cheers came from nearly everyone in White Eclipse except for Sidney and Adam. Disbelief and despair was painted just as vividly on the faces of the Fairy Tail mages. Arc stood gloriously, grinning as his Demon Drive wore out and left him completely. "That's three." He said, turning his back to walk towards his guild.

"YOU IDIOT!" Adamantine yelled.

"TURN AROUND!" Sidney added. The confusion caused Arcturus to hesitate, but as he turned just as informed, a heavily battered and bruised, bloodied Jellal launched himself directly into the Demon, hugging him tightly as a vaguely familiar purple marking appeared on his chest and back.

"Jellal...JELLAL STOP!" Erza shouted, attempting to run out onto the field, yet only to be grabbed by Gildarts. He smiled, shaking his head once. "He knows better. It's going to hurt, but he won't go that far...but he's going far enough!"

"What're you saying! He's going to kill himself!" Erza debated, knowing exactly what she was looking at when she saw the purple markings on his body. Gildarts simply replied. "Just watch. I wouldn't stop you if otherwise.."

"What're you doing!? And how are you still standing after that attack!?" Arc shouted, trying to shake Jellal off of him. Wiggling his right arm free, he tried to manifest some magic, but nothing appeared. "Tch! I may have ran out of magic, but I can still pummel you into the ground!"

That's when Jellal smiled. "It's a shame, I didn't expect to end this between us like this.. but Fairy Tail needs the momentum push. Square of Self Destruction."

"Of what!?" Arc shouted, now trying his damnedest to break free of Jellal's hold though to no avail. Soon, Jellal began a purplish glow, remaining attached to Arc as he smiled. "It looks like you underestimated me just enough, huh? I can't defeat you one on one, but the thing is, I'm never alone. Not anymore. When we wake up, let's keep rooting for our friends, alright?"

"DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE YOU'VE WON! GET OFF ME YOU COWARD! NO! NO—"

The massive explosion occurred, consuming the entire arena. "JELLAL!"

"ARCTURUS!"

Members from each respective guild ran over as the smoke cleared, only to find the two unconscious, breathing, just unmoving. "Tch!" Reve sucked his teeth loudly as Arc's eyes slowly opened. "Damn, I didn't see it coming either, so I can't say anything!"

"Jellal! You idiot! Are you insane!?" Erza shouted as they grabbed him, lifting him up to carry him. "S...Sorry..." He said with a pained smile. "But." Natsu interjected with a wide grin and a thumbs up. Behind him were the smiling faces of Fairy Tail, some eager and some just happy he's alive. "You've given us the momentum we needed! We're going to take this now!"

"Momentum?" Takeru questioned. "It was a double knockout. We're still up, three to one!"

"Don't forget that one point when it's all said and done!" One Sting from Sabertooth shouted from far away, reminiscent from what Gajeel told him back in the Grand Magic Games. Ignoring him however, Takeru took a step forward, glaring down Natsu Dragneel as Jellal and Arc were carried away with their teams. "Step forward Dragneel. I'll show you how momentum is still on our side!"

Before Natsu could give the obvious answer however...

"Oi oi oi now, Takeru." Takeru turned to see the brunette walking towards him. His voice also caused a certain brunette's ears to perk, stopping in her tracks as she waited for confirmation.

"Huh? Come on Jack. I'm ready." Takeru begged in a monotone. "Sorry bud. I rarely do this, but I'll have to use my chain of command here and tell you to back down. I don't really get excited for fights but.." As his face was shown, Jack Royal held a near menacing grin, his flask dangling from his left hand as he glared towards Fairy Tail. "That last show got me riled up, so let me use this energy while I have it."

"So be it!" She shouted, pushing by Natsu with her left arm. Cana Alberona stood before Jack Royal with her own excited grin. "Is your opponent of course, and I'll keep this train rolling for Fairy Tail!"

"So that settles it." Calium spoke with Makarov nodding. "With White Eclipse up three to one, the next match will be Jack Royal, vs. Cana Alberona!" The two remained standing across from each other as the rest cleared the area. Earthen colored eyes staring Cana down, she returned the glare with her own grinning exhibition.

"You both ready!?"