Faster than your average bear. Next chapter. Another step closer. Thank you all so very much for your encouragement. I didn't get to respond to all my reviews, mostly because my free time was spent writing this chapter. More action.

Keep me in the loop. Review. PM. Just read. Whatever.

Many thanks to those I can't reply via PM: Jennifer, Harris Keira-Jae.

Disclaimer: Don't own FT, I do enjoy creating my OCs.

~OoOoO~

Lucy watched him closely. It wasn't typical of him, but she was certain Leo was brooding. "All this time," Lucy affirmed, more to herself, "I knew it was an act! You were compensating….for something."

Leo looked at her, a brief flicker of confusion on his face. It was gone as quickly as it had appeared, and he smiled gently—a move that appeared a little too forced. "Lucy, you know my heart belongs to you, my lo—"

"Can it!" she raised her hand defiantly. "I like the vulnerable Leo. It's more becoming on you. Frankly, you are a horrible flirt. And an even worse womanizer."

He watched her, eyes widening slightly behind his glasses. He appeared at a loss for words. Finally he whispered, somewhat abashedly, "Horrible?"

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Let's just say you have a flare for….the overdramatic," she laughed gently. "But, I can see now why that is... " She looked past him as he inhaled deeply. "I can see the real you, Loki. What you were running from…."

He looked at the devastation around them, voice barely audible, "It wasn't meant to be."

"Maybe not then," Lucy agreed. "But I sense you have a difficult time with rejection. Women are always falling at your feet."

"Not you," he mockingly pouted, though not looking too disagreeable with her earlier assessment of his behavior.

"And you can refer back to what I said, moments earlier," she snapped. "Boys! You're all the same."

He chuckled, "I think your heart has always been focused on something else. Perhaps had there been no dragon slayer in the picture—"

"Still, no. Never gonna happen, Leo." Lucy informed him. "Drop it." He remained silent, though from her command or his own general displeasure, she didn't know. She angled her head, lowering her voice, "But maybe, Leo….maybe things are different now. Did you ever talk to her about it?" He pressed his lips together, the topic of conversation obviously uncomfortable. "Look, you don't have to profess your love, that's not what I'm saying—"

"I didn't say Iloveher!" he blurted the last part, immediately looking at his hands. Up to this point in his life, he had only used love in empty confessions and harmless flirtation. It got him what he wanted, sheer moments of pleasure. Distraction.

Lucy smiled at the facet of Leo she was witnessing for the first time. He appeared so vulnerable that she wanted to hug him. Almost. She raised her hands in mock defense. "OK, fine. But you obviously care." Again, she looked past him, her smile soft. "And it's bothering you."

Leo sighed, looking at his feet as he dug his hands in his pockets, "I appreciate your concern, Lucy. But, some things you cannot understand."

She pressed her lips together in frustration. "Oh, I understand what it's like to care about someone you think doesn't return your feelings!" She narrowed her eyes, challenging him to oppose her, yet surprised by the fervor of her own words. She quickly continued, "But how are you really supposed to know unless you say something?"

The spirit shook his head, chuckling lightly. "So, Lucy, you're telling me that you and Natsu…celebrated your unrequited love? Lucy, I didn't know you were that type!"

She gasped, shocked by his lewd assumption. She attempted to hit him, but he quickly disappeared, much to her frustration. She growled in anger, drawing the attention of a few of nearby mages. She mumbled profanity under her breath.

Then she noticed Leo appear near Adie. Her anger lessened as she smiled. Baby steps.

"What is your plan?" Leo asked, looking at her over his sunglasses.

"Don't have one," Adie bluntly replied, plucking at the grass. The Oneiroi, it seemed, had demolished the revived monsters. Everyone was now healing and planning their next move. Erza and Jura were attempting to regain order and the mayor of Wisteria was counting his losses. She continued to pluck at the grass, shoving her finger in her mouth when a blade sliced through her skin. She closed her eyes, uncomfortably, hoping Leo would disappear.

He didn't. "You're angry," he observed.

She looked up at him, willing him to leave. When he still didn't, she sighed, her finger dislodging from between her lips. "I can't believe I played right into Ultear's plan!"

"It wasn't just you," Leo shrugged easily, "We all did."

Adie stared at him for a few moments, blinking as her anger abated. "Lil was trying to protect me. I've always…"

"Yes, we both know you always clean up her messes," he agreed, doing his best to hide his displeasure at that notion. Adie looked away, knowing that he had a point. He continued, "So now….what are you going to do? What do you have planned, Adassandra? You always have a plan."

She chewed her lip, back to avoiding his gaze. "I-I don't know. Really."

He watched her carefully for some time. He knew she hated when he stared, but she would eventually admit her thoughts to him out of silent pressure. "You are planning to let Lucy use your key. " He threw aside caution, going straight for the kill.

"If it comes to that," she agreed much more easily than he had anticipated, finding the grass once again more likeable.

"Why?"

"Why do you let her use your key?" she looked up at him.

"Simple. She would die for me." His voice was firm with conviction.

"Bah! Cop out!" Adie answered, obvious dissatisfied with his response.

"What mage—or human, even—would be willing to do that for a non-human, Princess?" he asked, her title hissing from his lips. "Most consider us lesser beings."

"I don't care about that!" she icily glared at him.

"You do, or you wouldn't have let her have your key in the first place. You knew about that dagger, and you let her use it. Luckily she used it soon after you were bitten, before the poison set in, or you would not be alive to have this conversation."

For the briefest of moments, she looked vulnerable, just as she had when she summoned him in Magnolia. He had felt her danger, and he could sense she needed him. He had appeared, thankfully, before she had fully transformed. At that time, she was unable to control the venom taking over her body, and her state of health in limbo. She had nodded at him, and he had understood that it was then she had given her possessions to Lucy, the only thing preventing her from the imminent death of a human with an Amarok bite. He had stunned her with Regulus, the only other option was to kill her—something he would not do, no matter the circumstance. That was the only time she had called for him, and he knew that she still held some regard for him as she once had. Right now, though, he was certain she would like to strangle him. He had such a way with women.

"How dare you speculate about things you know nothing about, you pompous ass!" Adie leaped to her feet, temper flaring. Her toes were nearly touching his as her eyes flashed dangerously. "Up until this point, you've spent your time moping and in the arms of other women!"

"Are you denying it? Or did a part of you hope?" he vaguely asked, voice less aggressive. He ignored the second part of her accusations, as it would only injure both of them further. Had his transgressions made her jealous? How had she even known? She allowed him to avoid the subject, remaining sullen as she balled her fists and fought to control her ire. He glanced at her lips, now white from the pressure at which she was pressing the together. "There's nothing wrong with hoping. " With a howl of frustration, Adie turned away, kicking the ground. He watched her, feeling silly at how much he relished eliciting this response from her. "Who will protect you, Adassandra?"

"Huh?" She spun around, nose crinkled at her perceived ridiculousness of his question. "I don't need protectin', Leo."

"I know," he confessed. "But know that Lucy would willingly die for you if that meant your safety."

Adie looked visibly uncomfortable at the notion. "She's stupid! To give up her life that easily would be foolish. There's too much for her to live for!"

"She's not the only one, if it comes to that," he told her, face unreadable, "I'll be at her side."

Adie's breath hitched in her throat. She glanced at Lucy, then back to Leo. A sheen of perspiration glistened on his upper lip, but he held her gaze. She felt her face become aflame, and she took a moment to compose her thoughts. Her words threatened to rush forth, a jumble of confusion and hesitancy. "Leo, look—"

His voice was a low whisper as he bowed his head slightly, "You have to realize it. You can't be that blind."

Adie cleared her throat uncomfortably. All she managed to whisper was, "I-I can't talk about this. But, erm, thank you. That's all I can offer you."

They stood there for some time, staring at one another like idiots. For a moment, he she was going to say something more, but the rumbling beneath their feet came on all too suddenly. The horrible sound of earth ripping apart was a permanent distraction, and they both turned to look at the spectacle. Mages scrambled away from the chasm that was spreading along the battlefield, though still off in the distance.

"What the—" Adie started to say, her voice cut off as she quickly disappeared. Leo spied her, near the spreading hole in the ground, pulling people away from the growing abyss as her boots propelled her movement.

Lucy reached Leo's side, huffing from running, "A-Any idea w-what that is?"

He shook his head. "I can only imagine it is something else Ultear had up her sleeve."

Within moments, the bright white of a giant skeleton burst through the earth. Lucy had no idea what it was, but she could tell it had a tail and what appeared to be wings springing from its back. The object levitated higher.

"What is that thing?" Lucy's eyes wide with confusion and fear. The form elongated as if it were growing, and the sinew of muscles, tendons, and ligaments began to slide over the backbone and joints, growing thicker. Soon, fascia covered the soft tissue and dark skin began to coat the body.

"I had heard legend it was buried here," someone said from beside her.

Lucy turned to find Levy staring ahead. "Levy! What was?

"A dragon," Levy whispered ominously.

"A….dragon?" Lucy repeated, her voice shaking. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"That's not any dragon, Lu-chan," Levy's voice was eerily calm, though her eyes betrayed her. Lucy watched wings form, feathery and dark, and she felt her stomach sink. A dragon hadn't been seen in the world for years—and only then were they witnessed by the existing dragon slayers.

"I suppose there's no other question, then," Lucy sighed, mouth dry. "I'm gonna regret asking, but which one is this?"

"If my theory is correct," Levy told her, "The Dragon King himself."

"Did he just say what I thought he said?" Natsu's jaw dropped open. Grandfather!

Gray looked equally disturbed by Makarov's confession, "Uh huh."

"Holy shit, he's related to her?" Natsu whistled. "That….sucks."

"Why didn't he tell us?" Gray croaked. Tell me, he wanted to ask.

The dragon slayer felt sorry for his friend. He knew how much Ur meant to the ice mage, and he knew the brevity of Makarov's admission. He inhaled deeply, "Maybe it hurt too much to talk about his dead daughter." Gray said nothing, obviously torn over his promise to bring down Ultear, and his loyalty to Makarov. He watched the interaction intently. Natsu clapped him on the shoulder in support. "Don't worry, it'll all work out how it's supposed to, buddy."

"For once," dark haired man retorted, "I'm hoping you're right."

"Is this how you two always talk to one another?" Porlyusica interjected. "Fools!"

"Geesh, old lady—" Natsu began, before howling as her staff hit him over his head. "Why'd ya do that?"

She chose to ignore him, "He didn't tell you about her because it was too painful. It's because of her that my daughter is dead—Laxus' mother."

"Wait. Wha?" Natsu rubbed his sore head. "Is everyone related here?"

"Shut it, Natsu," Gray growled. "We'll sort this out later."

"Later," Porlyusica echoed. "Always so hopeful. Stupid humans."

Natsu and Gray shared a look of annoyance before focusing on their former master once again. Laxus was at his side, and a man resembling him standing nearby. Gray studied the third man closely, he could see the resemblance to Makarov, certainly, but his dark hair reminded him more of his deceased master, Ur.

"Grandfather?" Ultear repeated, a minute expression of shock flittering across her face before disappearing altogether. She forced a laugh to her lips. "I have no family. My weak mother—"

"Ur. She was my daughter. I can assure you she was not weak. She was offered a position as a Saint, but declined—"

"I could care less what you have to say!" Ultear shrugged, her hand coated in a slick ice layer to staunch the bleeding from Makarov's magic.

"She was too busy spending her time looking for the daughter she presumed was dead!" he continued as if she hadn't interrupted him, his expression dark and foreboding. "Imagine her surprise to find that her own flesh has caused this predicament!"

"She was weak, I am not," Ultear simply replied. "I would not give a second thought about what she would consider."

"You look like her, Ur—" Makarov continued, not to be dissuaded. Gray wondered if he was purposely goading her.

"She killed my father! Did you know that, Old Man? She killed him? Your precious daughter was a murderer!" Ultear's sword materialized and her eyes regained their earlier fury.

Makarov's arms were crossed over his chest, "Because he was under Zeref's control." He matched her glare with one of his own. It was a look Natsu was all too familiar with; Makarov was close to his boiling point. "Because he begged her to in order to avoid killing his daughter. You. "

"Lies," Ultear snapped.

"Your magic was a threat to Zeref. It was his will that led to your father's death," he waved his hand. "To all of this, really."

"You're a liar!" Ultear screamed, running at him.

Makarov easily dodged, growing taller than his granddaughter. She slid to a halt, and Laxus wasted no time, attempting to restrain her. She struggled, throwing her head back and hitting him in the nose. He didn't let go, his hands glowing with bolts of energy as his nose bled. Ultear screamed, her shouts profane as Laxus held her, lightning jolting through her body. He slowed his attack, at Makarov's command, and Ultear slumped to her knees, falling forward onto her hands. She breathed heavily, her shoulders shaking.

"Is she…laughing?" Gray asked under his breath, and Natsu nodded, just as confused as he had been moments earlier.

Ultear threw back her head as Laxus asked her that very same question. As she did so, she tossed an orb skyward. Laxus instinctively looked at the orb, which quickly multiplied. Makarov yelled in warning, but it was too late—the multiple orbs assaulted the lighting wielding mage. He screamed in pain, his body smoldering as it was jolted meters away. Ivan was immediately at his son's side, his fingers on Laxus' neck. His eyes closed in relief as both Gray and Natsu were ready to strike in retaliation. Ultear glared at the two comrades, her sword ready and a new armor enveloping her body as she sped toward her next victims. Before she could strike, a wall of earth shot skyward, blocking her advance. She shrieked as she catapulted backward, avoiding the blows for Porlyusica's staff.

"You're no match," Ultear taunted. "I will prevail."

Porlyusica said nothing, crimson eyes flashing. With a swift swing of her staff, she managed to land a blow in Ultear's chest. The younger woman fell to the ground, the earth exploding from the impact.

"Gramps' girlfriend packs a punch," Natsu remarked. Gray simply nodded, awed at the spectacle.

Ivan supported Laxus as he stood, hand over his right lower rib cage, face gritty from the dirt. He was obviously not done with Ultear. He raised his palms outward and above his head, and Natsu immediately recognized the attack. It had nearly killed Erza and Bisca at one time. Dozens of bright yellow orbs descended to surround Ultear. She turned, sword in hand as she eyed them warily. She attempted to use on of her orbs to disarm the barrier, only to find herself jolted by the attack. Her brow furrowed, and she slashed at another, the orb shattering. She was immediately electrocuted by the remaining orbs, crumpling to her knees and dropping her sword. She looked up, murder in her eyes as she met Laxus' gaze.

He looked victorious. "Yield. End this war."

"I will achieve the Ultimate Magic World. You cannot stop me with your weak magic."

"You can't possibly think you have the upper hand," Laxus scoffed. "Are you brain dead?"

Ultear smirked, pushing herself to her feet. With a furious roar, she raised her sword and began hacking at the orbs, which shattered into bright shards that sank to the ground. Lightning rose up and a giant field of electricity was created where she stood. A blinding white flash roared skyward, and Natsu shielded his eyes from the glare. When it was over, all that remained was a cloud of smoke. He sniffed, but smelled nothing but ash.

"She's still alive," Gray remarked, hands together and ready to use a spell if necessary. Laxus was standing triumphantly, arm slumped over his father's shoulder. Ivan's face was blank as he watched Ultear, occasionally glancing at his father.

"That's enough," Makarov whispered as he stood, staring at the solitary, naked figure crouched in the field. Ultear's shoulders were shaking once again. This time, however, her sobs were unmistakable.

"Why didn't he just use Fairy Law?" Natsu quietly remarked.

"Because, he doesn't have it in his heart to kill her," Porlyusica murmured, leaning on her staff and watching Ultear carefully. "She's too much like his daughter. Like Ur. No matter their crimes, you can't stop loving your own family."

"You just let Laxus steal your thunder," the dragon slayer informed his friend.

Gray closed his eyes, "Now's not the time for jokes. And I don't think this is over. Not by a long shot."

Makarov took a step toward Ultear, hand outstretched. "Stop the madness. We can help you."

"Help me?" Ultear's voice was weak. Distant sounding.

"You must atone for what you've done, but we are not without fault," Makarov offered. "As your family."

"Family," she murmured, looking up at him, the whites of her eyes a bright contrast to the burnt skin.

The elderly wizard nodded, another step forward. "Enough's been done, Ultear." Natsu was still perplexed by his inability to pick up the scent of charred flesh—of anything! Suddenly, his eyes flew open.

"Gramps!" he yelled, leaping forward. Makarov turned to look at him. As he did, Ultear's body metamorphosized, large spikes of ice shooting from her chest, arms, and back. Makarov didn't have time to move, eyes widening as he was impaled numerous times by the icy spikes.

"NO!" Natsu, Gray, and Laxus screamed in unison.

Ultear laughed, blood dripping from the end of the spike jutting through Makarov's chest and exiting through his back. The former guild master looked surprised, blood spilling from his mouth as he coughed. It dripped on the ground, droplets coalescing to form a larger puddle. The spikes retracted as the ice clone began to melt. A clone would explain Natsu's inability to locate her scent.

The real Ultear leapt from the ground, sword raised as she quickly brought it down, slicing through Makarov's shoulder. Blood spurted everywhere, and Nastu and Gray quickly attacked. She jumped back, sneering joyously. Laxus collapsed by Makarov's side, his grandfather blinking at the sky. He attempted to whisper to Laxus, who put his ear near his grandfather's mouth.

"Grandpop!" he shook the man, looking at Porlyusica. "Do something!"

She looked down at them, reaching out and tracing her fingers over the wound, "Laxus, there is nothing I can do to heal these wounds. Even so, you know that—"

"Just do something!" he screamed.

Makarov gurgled. "Laxus, it'll be alright. I promise. Do not ask this of Porly."

Laxus' eyes filled with tears. He looked to Ivan, who stood there rigidly, offering nothing more. Natsu and Gray were fighting Ultear, who was fending them off with her sword and well placed verbal assaults. Tears streamed from their eyes as the sought vengeance for the man that had been like their father.

"I swear I'll end you," Natsu promised.

"Speaking of ends," Ultear cooed, her irises shining crimson. The earth began to shake, and both men sought to maintain their balance. Natsu's head whipped around to where the earth was ripping apart, and a shining white skeleton was becoming visible from the chasm.

"What the hell is that?" Gray hissed.

"That," Ultear mused enthusiastically, "Is Acnologia. I'll leave you boys to get acquainted. I think this war will soon be over!" With her final explanation, she disappeared, leaving the two startled mages to stare at the rising skeleton.

"You have a feeling she did this on purpose?" Natsu asked, eyes wide.

"I get that feeling about everything she does," Gray agreed, casting a wearied glance at Makarov before looking away.

"Acnologia …." Natsu started.

Gray knew the name but couldn't recall the implications. "I expect that this has gone from bad to the worse fucking scenario possible."

"What the hell are we going to do?" Natsu wondered aloud. He felt the shift in the earth, and he raised his nose to the sky. He couldn't determine the scent, but it felt familiar.

Happy swooped down, now healed by Porlyusica's hand. "Dragon!"

Gray's head snapped around, his eyes were wide with disbelief. "D-Did you just say dragon?"

Happy nodded, as Natsu made sense of his emotions and the odd feeling of nostalgia. His heart was pounding and the blood was pulsating through his veins. He felt an amazing rush of euphoria. It was difficult to describe, like a drug that elated him to no end. He felt invincible.

"Yup."

"There are no dragons," Gray pointed out, face pale.

"It's a big one, too. Looks scary," Happy informed them. "Not the friendly kind."

"Not Igneel." Natsu suddenly felt let down.

"His bones came from the battlefield, like he was buried there or something," Happy shared. "I don't like the looks of him. Or it. Maybe a she. More likely an it."

"Natsu, my boy," the voice caught him off guard. He turned to look at Makarov. The mage was standing, arms crossed over his chest, not a wound on him.

"But you were—" Gray began to protest as Natsu sped around Makarov, poking and prodding. The elderly mage ignored the dragon slayer. "How?"

"My magic," Ivan interrupted. "An illusion."

Laxus stared angrily at his father, still kneeling and clutching onto nothingness. He looked between his hands, Makarov, and Ivan. His expression registered what had happened, his earlier fury and devastation replaced with joy. He leaped up, hugging Makarov.

"Now, now, not too hard," Makarov chuckled, looking worse for wear, despite not fighting.

"But…how did I not know?" Gray scratched his head.

"He's gifted," Porlyusica complimented Ivan, her eyes on her hands. Ivan looked at her, surprised, adding nothing.

"Ultear didn't notice it. Not as smart as she thinks," Natsu remarked.

"Uh…dragon?" Happy pointed at the sky, now darkening as the skeleton was covered in scales, wings expanding with dark feathers.

"Oh, yeah, shit." Natsu agreed. "Whadda we gonna do?"

"Simple," Makarov looked at the sky, "You're going to fight him. You are, after all, a dragon slayer."

"Us?" Natsu and Gray said in unison.

"Fight…that? It's a little larger than our usual enemies," the dragon slayer continued.

"No, not us," Makarov agreed. "Gather Wendy, Juvia, Gajeel and that newcomer."

Natsu looked at Gray, as if uncertain what to do. The ice mage encouraged his friend, "You heard him. Don't screw it up. "

Natsu nodded, "Right." He gripped his friend's shoulder, "No matter what happens, you stop her, hear me? And keep Lucy safe. Oh, and don't die."

Gray's expression was somber. He felt the shadow of Acnologia creeping over them as he nodded his acquiescence. "You, too, my brother."

Natsu was momentarily shocked by the ice mage's words. A knowing smile crept over his face. "You do love me. I knew it!"

"Get out of here, dickhead!" Gray responded with a swift kick at Natsu, who was whisked away by Happy, a whoop of victory in his voice. He watched his friend move farther away from him and closer to the now animated dragon. "Let's hope that's not our goodbye," he whispered.

Mages were scrambling, dispersing in every direction. Erza shouted commands as she dragged Jura to safety. His arm was lost, and she screamed for a healer—any healer. He was looking pale, the shock setting in from massive blood loss. She tried to staunch the bleeding, her hands slipping on the slick surface of his limbless shoulder joint.

"Stay with me, Jura!" she shouted. "Jura!"

He was staring at the dragon that was now fully revived, swooping down and burning the battleground. Bodies were being charred, and they were on the monster's radar after that last, failed attack.

"I brought help," Lucy announced, the pink-haired spirit carefully inspecting the wound. "Can you save him?"

"I can stop the bleeding," Peony replied, "But the arm is lost unless you have the limb. I cannot create new human parts."

"Do what you can," Erza commanded, her Heaven's Wheel Armor enveloping her body as she walked toward the dragon. Her swords hovered in the air. With a cry of indignation, the swords were flung at the powerful enemy. Some sank deeply in its hide, the others fell to the ground, quickly rising again to continue attacking at Erza's willing.

Lucy had never seen a dragon, and she couldn't believe the girth in the beast. Its scales were black and its wingspan the size of a small village. Deep blue feathers spilled from its wings as Erza's swords hacked at them from all sides. The dragon landed on the ground with a crashing boom, shaking them to their knees.

"Now!" she yelled, though Jellal hadn't waited for her prompting to cast his Grand Chariot attack.

Acnologia roared, fire spouting high and spewing ash around the field. Jellal cursed, and Adie and Erza moved in without hesitation. The red-head hacked at the dragon's right wing with the dark blade Adie had given her. The demi-spirit tugged at the severed appendage with Barsky's armor. Acnologia roared, blowing fire at them after Lucy heard a cracking noise, likely Acnologia's wing being completely broken and torn from its body. The two women were back at Lucy's side, huffing and smelling of singed hair and sweat.

"He's going to kill all of us isn't he?" Jura murmured, nonsensical from the blood loss as Peony worked furiously. She was cauterizing the bleeding and bandaging the area, expression stern. Leo appeared at her side, carrying what Lucy thought was Jura's limb. It was bent at an odd angle, the humerus jutting from the upper arm. It was singed and Lucy thought a few fingers were missing. Peony touched it, shaking her head softly and giving her son a look of disappointment—though more from her inability to help further rather than anything he had done. Her attention returned to her patient. She looked at Lucy.

"I can't replace his blood, I'm sorry," she told them, "he may not yet live."

"Thank you," Erza told her, pushing the singed hair from her face, and sending a sympathetic look at Jura.

"Death was always an option," Jura told them. "I'm not afraid to die."

"It's not your time yet, my friend," Erza leaned down, surveying the damage to his body. Her expression told Lucy that he would likely die from the wound.

"Oh no!" Lucy intervened, pointing. "I think it's c-coming for us!" Lucy screamed and Acnologia threw his head back, smoke coming from his nostrils as the flames lapped on his tongue.

"Take cover!" Adie yelled, grabbing Lucy.

Except there was none. Not even a rock to hide under. She had no time to consider her last thoughts as the flames came at them. She tried to come up with a plan, but couldn't. She saw her friends leap in front of her, as if to shield her, and she shrieked her disagreement. But in their yelling, she realized that the dragon's flames never touched them.

"Sowwy veer wate!" someone mumbled from in front of them.

"Natsu!" she breathed, ecstatic.

He was shielding them, cheeks full as smoke seeped from between his lips and nostrils. Wendy landed next to him, dropped off by Charle. Gajeel appeared next to Lucy, accompanied by Juvia. They walked past the group, giving nods of their heads. They met up together, hands outstretched in welcoming hi-fives. They faced Acnologia, looks of determination on their faces.

"Good thing Midget thought to use Hibiki, saved us a lot of trouble," Gajeel grunted, arms crossed over his chest.

Natsu mumbled something incoherent, and Lucy yelled at him. "Stop talking with your mouth full, you idiot!"

Gajeel laughed, shaking his head and muttering something about "women". Natsu looked abashed as he begrudgingly forced the flames down, his face turning puce. He smiled at Lucy, "Heya, Luce, I said: sorry we're late!"

"Hey! Wait for me, jerks!" Lucy heard Nani yell as the tiniest dragon slayer caught up to the others, propelled by her magic. "Hi Miss Lucy, good to see you're still alive!" The dragon slayer looked up at the dragon, eyes wide with awe. Lucy knew her people revered them, and this may provide a difficult task for her.

"Look, Nani—that's a dragon, but—" Natsu started to explain. "You heard what Hibiki said."

"I don't like how he feels," Nani narrowed her eyes cautiously. "He reeks of death. So much death. He's not something my people would honor."

"And that'll sum it up," Gajeel shook his head.

"So, let's do this!" Natsu ground a fist into his free palm. The other dragon slayers agreed.

"Wait, why is Juvia helping them and not someone like Gray?" Lucy asked Erza.

"Juvia is a dragon slayer," Erza informed her knowingly. "Water."

"Oh." Lucy replied dumfounded. "I-I had no idea."

"Enough talking, more attacking," Adie interjected. "Or that thing is going to crispify us." She looked at Natsu, pointing. "Your vest is smoking."

Natsu looked at the frayed edges, quickly attempting to pat the flames out. When that was unsuccessful, he tore the vest from his torso, his flesh burned and blistered. He hadn't come out of that last attack unscathed, as Lucy had thought. They were not invincible—a fact evidenced by the bodies of her dead friends, littering the field. Natsu hissed as he touched the area of marred flesh, which spanned from his naval to his right nipple.

"It's never going to end," Lucy whimpered, ashamed and tired. She was nearing her breaking point, she knew. Seeing Natsu injured and Jura near death was becoming too much.

"Luce, you gotta keep it together, OK?" he told her, glancing up from his injury. "If you can't keep it together, how are we going to?"

"Huh?" she asked, her voice empty and fatigued.

He leaned down so that he was eye-level, his fingers gripping her slender shoulders. She could see the other dragon slayers in conversation as Jellal was attacking Acnologia without much success other than annoying the beast. "You've always been the only one to keep me sane," he gave her a half-grin. "And you're much better and keeping calm than I am. So, if you're not able to keep your cool, what hope do I have, huh, Luce?"

She nodded and smiled half-heartedly, inhaling deeply to calm herself. "OK, I can deal with that compliment. "

"Good," he nodded, leaning forward and inhaling her scent deeply, his cheek brushing hers. "Because I got nothing else." His words were whispered in her ear.

Jellal was back at their side, leaning over and breathing heavily. "My magic isn't doing anything to him," Jellal frowned. "Nothing."

"Don't even think of self-detonation," Erza warned him, recognizing the look of defeat on his face. "We have other options. Natsu, I hope you have a plan!"

"We do," he agreed, straightening and dropping her grip from Lucy's shoulders.

"You'll have to stop Ultear first, if she revived this monster." Adie vaguely instructed, her black flexible armor covering her body. "Kill her."

"Yeah, easier said than done," Natsu pointed to the wound on his flank. "She's strong."

Adie said nothing, her eyes inspecting the injury. "What are you going to do?"

"Levy was kind enough to create a plan, and have that relayed through Hibiki," Juvia explained, interrupting her conversation with Gajeel. "We are grateful for her help. She is very smart." She glanced at Gajeel, who nodded at the ground, doing his best to look stoic.

"Yeah, yeah, let's just get this fucking catastrophe over with, ok?" Gajeel shifted uncomfortably on his feet as the rest of the dragon slayers consented to his suggestion. The metal wielding slayer looked at Lucy, Erza, Jellal, and Adie, "You guys should stay back…..let us handle this."

"The stage is yours," Jellal agreed with slight disappointment as the dragon slayers quickly reacted.

Wendy and Nani used Unison Raid, their Sandstorm Cyclone attack shielding them from the dragon's view. He burst through the cloud, and the two women leaped away. Natsu charged head-on with a fiery fist, nostrils steaming. Acnologia opened his mouth to swallow the dragon slayer, but Natsu managed to raise a fiery fist, shooting flames into the dragon's throat. Acnologia drew back, shaking his head in confusion. Gajeel clapped his hands together, a giant blade forming. He quickly brought it down with a roar, decimating the earth and slicing off the dragons' head. Despite the blow, the dragon slayers did not celebrate. Soon, Lucy could see why. They had been expecting this.

"What the?" Lucy began, eyes wide as the dragon healed.

"Ultear," Jellal explained. In one word, he told them everything. Her restoration magic. "He's a mindless being."

The tail swooped down, taking out Natsu and Gajeel, though they managed to avoid the pointed end. Lucy screamed and the dragon's head shot up and its milky eyes focused on her. It threw its head back and roared, flames licking at its sharp teeth, ready to be spouted at Lucy and comrades.

"No you don't!" Natsu howled, grabbing at the monster's tail and distracting it while Happy and Charle swooped around Acnologia's head in distraction. "Then let's end this!" Natsu yelled at the other dragon slayers, who seamlessly sprang into action. "Now!"

Juvia's body disappeared as she vaporized, her form quickly circling and growing. She came down over Acnologia, water coating its oily scales. Wendy and Nani used Unison Raid to create a thick layer of sand over the beast. Natsu's chest barreled out as he roared, his hot flames abundant and persistent.

"Silica?" Adie whispered. "I'll be damned. That's a great plan…."

"Huh?" Lucy asked, eyes narrowed.

"Using water as a base for the sand, only to be heated to its melting point…." Adie began to explain. "Then cooled. It's like tempering…..like creating glass, you could say." She swore under her breath, "It's actually quite brilliant."

"Oh," Lucy was somewhat confused, pretending to follow. "Leave it to Levy to come up with it."

As Adie had predicted, Juvia quickly followed with a water attack, steam rising from the hot surface. As the cloud of vapor disappeared from around Acnologia, Lucy understood Adie's description: a giant, clear coating was covering the dragon's body. The dragon's movement was restricted by the thick layer covering it. Gajeel used his earlier attack, this time the blade shattering the glass statue that was now Acnologia. Tiny fractures grew, and within moments, a symphony of cracking glass was all they could hear. Blood poured from the cracks, and Acnologia's body became fragments of flesh—a pile of blood, muscle, and gristle on the ground.

She leaped high as they shouted their victory. They had done it!

Except….except the dragon was reviving. Again.

Natsu turned in her general direction and his expression grew grim and his face paled. Lucy felt her blood grow cold at his reaction; Natsu rarely displayed such an openly fearful expression. She inhaled deeply, steeling herself.

"Hello, Lucy," a sweet voice purred out to her. "I've been looking for you, my precious Celestial Spirit mage."

She did her best to prevent herself from cringing. She didn't recognize the voice, but coupled with Natsu's reaction, she could identify it. She closed her eyes, fists clenching. Makarov must have fallen, and possibly Gray and Porlyusica, as well. Lucy slowly turned, the move feeling much more sluggish than she knew it to be. Her heart pounded in her ears, and her earlier anger returned, washing away her fear. She met the deep chocolate eyes that were filled with a wildness she knew only one person could hold.

The time has come.

"Ultear, I was expecting you." Lucy's voice was devoid of its usual warmth. "It's time we end this."