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"You're no match for me, face it." Ultear nearly purred at Gray, skin dancing with magic
"Doesn't matter to me," he shrugged off her warning, a simple but inflaming gesture. "We use the same magic. You have my master's blood in your veins—"
"Leave that filth out of it!" Ultear spat, expression darkening at the mention of her heritage. "You are not my equal!"
Gray grew rigid, irked by the slight to his former master. "You shouldn't talk about Ur like that. You heard what Makarov said—"
"I said to shut up!" Ultear warned, icy vines growing from the ground as her fist clenched at her side and her knuckles turned white around the hilt of her shattered sword. She quickly realized she was displaying her irritation and relaxed her posture.
Lucy noted Gray's intention and silently commended him on his efforts. The ice mage widened his stance, torso bare. "Make me."
"My pleasure," she drew back her arm, blade in hand. She had repaired it with her Ice Make, and it appeared as sharp as the original. The two opponents hesitated momentarily, that brief instant seeming to last forever before they took off running toward each other with the intent to maim. Ice exploded every which way, and Lucy fretted about helping Gray. She knew that it was a burden he had carried with him for some time, and to interfere would only serve to dishonor both his and Ur's memories. For now, she had more important things to consider. Adie was looking worse with each passing moment, and Leo didn't appear to be in much better shape as his former betrothed deteriorated before their eyes.
"Let us call Peony," Lucy pleaded with Adie as she dropped to the demi-spirit's side. The wound was not healing, though the bleeding had markedly lessened. There was a foul smell coming Adie's abdomen. Weakened from loss of blood, Adie silently deferred to Leo with a look of defeat. He nodded his head at Lucy. Without hesitation, her mind reached out and suddenly Peony was at their side.
"Your friend is gravely injured," the pink-haired spirit informed Lucy of Cana's prognosis, oblivious to why she was truly called. "I did what I could, but the rest is up to her. "
Lucy lowered her head in quick gratitude. "Thank you, Peony."
"Mother…" Leo began, voice strained.
The spirit turned and glanced at him, her eyes flickering to Adie and widening as she gasped. Quickly dropping to her knees, she placed her trained hands on the demi-spirit, fingertips alight with magic she had used many times over. She drew back suddenly, her expression revealing a frantic flurry of emotions. Lucy felt her stomach sink as Peony rasped, "What type of magic is this?"
Adie closed her eyes, licking her lips. "Lilith's. Her key. Ultear used it on me."
"So it has come to be." Tears immediately sprang to Peony's eyes. Leo glanced at Lucy, confused and distraught as Peony and Adie silently communicated.
"It was my fault. I let my guard down," Adie grimaced. "I should have known better." Lucy had to wonder if those words held a deeper meaning….
Peony drew back, frustration creasing her forehead. She reached out and touched a fingertip to Adassandra's forehead, the gesture one of tenderness as she whispered, "I brought both of you into this world. I do not want to see you out of it."
"W-What does that mean?" Lucy blurted, her voice laced with fear of the impending doom she felt. Why is Peony giving up?
Leo looked away, jaw clenched. Peony watched Adie carefully as the injured woman smile grimly. After another moment of pleading looks from Lucy, the demi-spirit finally spoke up, "She means she can't help me."
The stellar spirit mage gasped, looking to Leo to tell her differently. The spirit wouldn't meet her eyes, his dark glasses hiding his feelings. Lucy looked between Peony and Adie, knowing what the crux of their problem was. "What does Lilith's key do?"
The demi-spirit studied Lucy for a moment, as if determining how to best answer that question. "Exactly what mine doesn't."
Her careful words were fewer and less explanatory than Lucy would have preferred. She looked to Peony to continue, hoping the healer had some knowledge she'd be willing to share. The spirit offered nothing more, perhaps out of confusion or strife, Lucy had no way of determining her reasons.
Leo cleared his throat, looking skyward. His hands were shoved deeply in his pockets. "Adassandra's key appears to separate the bond of Humanity from Celestial Spirit," he ventured stiffly. "Which is why she can unlink us, erm, Spirits, I mean, and send us back to our world….." He paused and Adie closed her eyes, nodding her soft agreement. "And a fatal blow to a demi-spirit completely severs that bond…"
"Permanently." Lucy agreed. That was why Veleda was wholly a spirit. As was Lilith, now. "But how does Lilith's key work, then?"
"What she doesn't want you to know," Leo paused for some time, as if the words were difficult to form. His hands were shoved more deeply in his pockets. "Is that Lilith's key likely erases the Spirit's existence. Or, at least, that's what I've deduced."
"No." Lucy whispered, fingertips covering her mouth. There has to be another way or explanation! Her brow creased as a sense of hope burst forth from her thoughts. "But that would mean she would become a full human, then, wouldn't it?" She looked at Adie, "Isn't that what you want?"
Adie smiled, teeth stained with blood. "It'd have been nice, yeah. To live rather than just..exist."
"She was bit by an Amarok," Leo swiftly reminded Lucy, voice thick, "The only thing keeping her alive is her Spirit blood. Without that, there's no telling what will happen."
"She'll most likely die of her mortal wounds, first," Peony informed them gently, tears freely spilling over.
"She's d-dying?" Lucy stammered, looking up at Leo fretfully. The last time she had nearly died, Leo had been able to save her. As if sensing her thoughts, the spirit avoided her inquiring look, instead turning away.
Peony's voice was soft, and her dress now stained with blood, "I'm sorry." She touched Adie's shoulder as she knelt at eye-level, "Your mother—"
"Please," Adie nearly whimpered, a mixture of physical and emotional pain. "Don't talk about her." She looked at Lucy, "And stop cryin' will ya? I told you, I have a promise to keep! I'm not done for yet, geez." She attempted to laugh, grimacing and gripping her stomach.
Leo quickly whispered into Lucy's ear, "If you use her key now, maybe..."
"Don't you even put that idea in her head, dammit!" Adie hissed at him, her ears picking up his faint words.
"He's right, maybe—" Lucy tried to argue.
"No," Adie cut her off, shaking her head. "If you'd rather use my key against my will, however…" Her eyes flashed and Lucy caught a hint of despair in them. She held a bitter laugh in as she reassured the demi-spirit, her mind whirling through the short time she'd spent with Adie and the new acquaintances that had come tumbling into her life because of their initial encounter.
I won't let her die, she thought, her first clenching in silent determination. But would she use Adie's key? Leo watched her carefully, obviously disappointed with her decision.
"When would be the right time, Adassandra? You're dying!" Leo pointed out, frustrated by Lucy's acquiescence. He rarely displayed his agitation so openly, and it was making Lucy more anxious and desperate.
Adie glared at him, pale from blood loss as she pushed herself to her feet again. Peony reached out an arm, and Adie hesitatingly took it as she steadied herself. She looked past Lucy, expression unreadable for a brief moment. Her eyes suddenly grew round, "Move it!" she yelled.
Leo grabbed Lucy and Peony disappeared as Gray throttled past them, bloodied and battered. His body slid along the ground, rolling and flailing ungracefully. With a grunt and a long string of profanities, he painfully pushed himself to his feet. Blood oozed from superficial abrasions on his bare torso, and he had a deeper laceration on his shoulder. True to Gray's nature, he continued to fight, despite looking worse for wear. He reached up and wiped the blood from his lips.
"Let me help," Lucy pleaded, uncertain he could tolerate much more. She ached to be of assistance.
"I got this," He told her, spitting out a tooth. "Shit. That was a front one. Natsu won't let me live that down."
Lucy brushed off his distraction, her expression growing dark. "We need to stick together. She can't win. I don't care how much she makes us bleed! We are humans not puppets meant to be controlled." She realized she was gripping her whip, even pulling it free from its holster.
Gray looked at her, eyes narrowed. Suddenly his expression slackened. "That's it! I'll be damned!" Before Lucy could question him, he strode forward, grabbed her cheeks and kissed her on the forehead. "You're a genius, Lucy!"
Lucy staggered backward, baffled at the odd display and uncertain of what she did to instigate his reaction. She stared at him as he walked past her, shoulders held a little higher. He smiled at Ultear. "Let's do this. I'm done holding back."
"You mean you'll finally fight like a man?" His opponent purred arrogantly, though she was not without signs of wear from their battle.
Gray's eyebrow twitched at her comment, but his smile did not fade. "You're a mar on your family name. I can't figure out why Ur wanted me to protect you." Ultear hesitated and Gray turned to the side blasting his most recent ice creation at her.
The move was not missed by Lucy. "He's using his own b-b-blood for his Ice Make? Why?"
"She can't control it," Adie grunted, sweating. "I'm impressed. He's pretty sharp—oh!" She sucked in a deep breath.
Ultear was taken by surprise at not being able to use her Arc Magic and was impaled though the left shoulder by the attack. She dropped her blade, and Gray continued to attack, though Lucy knew he was nearly at his limit. Ultear managed to fend off some of Gray's blows, her expertise in hand-to-hand combat nearly surpassing her opponent's. She was able to land a blow, leaping over him as he realized her target. He tried to subdue her with an attack, but she easily dodged. Her blade was once again repaired with ice, and she intended to decapitate Lucy as she descended from above. The spirit mage looked up in time to notice the attack, but was not quick enough to dodge it. Ultear was met with one of Adie's blades, the two women facing off yet again. The demi-spirit was dangerously weakened, and she faltered. Ultear kicked her to the ground.
"I'll just run you through until you give me what I want!" she howled, sword raised and ready to plunge into Adie's torso. The pale-haired woman was attempting to push herself upright with some struggle.
Lucy beat Leo into action, running at Ultear with a scream of fury. She felt her shoulder jam as she used her body to ram into the woman without a second thought. They fell, rolling on the ground, Ultear at first overpowering her. Lucy dug her fingers into the oozing wound on her shoulder, courtesy of Gray. Ultear shrieked in pain and Lucy dug her fingers in deeper, feeling the slick warmth of blood and the sinew of muscle under her fingertips. Ultear punched with a free hand, deftly hitting Lucy in the throat. The blonde croaked, gasping for air. She was forcibly pushed off of Ultear, and kicked backward into Adie.
Ultear scrambled to her feet, sword swinging. Lucy leaped up and met the blow with her whip, which she held tautly in her hand. The sword slipped within the whip's grasp, slowly crumbling away. Ultear glared at her with so much hatred, Lucy wanted to cringe as she stood between the crazed enemy and a defeated Adie.
"What are you doing?" Adie hissed as she swayed. "Save yourself, idiot! I'm already a goner!"
Lucy shook her head. "No."
Adie's eyes widened with disbelief at Lucy's altruism. Leo was right.
Lucy threw out a free arm to block her. "I'm not letting her lay a finger on you!"
She really is willing to die for her spirits!
"I'm not giving either of you a choice!" Ultear hissed, hand glowing with an orb. She quickly cocked her arm back, ready to shove it into Lucy's chest. The spirit mage braced for the pain as Adie yelled, "No!"
In a move that was too quick for Lucy's brain to process, Adie had thrown Lucy aside and Leo had managed to hook his arm through Ultear's. He deftly used his body as a pivot to toss her over his shoulder. The orb dropped, and was batted away by Happy, who had deposited Natsu on the ground next to Lucy. He reached down and pulled her to her feet with a quick once-over.
Leo straightened, pushing his glasses up his nose but not looking at Natsu. "Took you long enough."
"Your directions sucked," Natsu pouted.
Ultear stood, staggering slightly. Her eyes grew round, the expression quickly replaced by a hardened look. "So..help has arrived. Pathetic."
"Shut it, will ya?" Natsu bristled. "Lucy doesn't need help."
"Natsu—" Lucy whispered, surprised at his faith.
He shook his head, eyes on Ultear and filled with an anger Lucy had rarely seen. "She's strong enough to take you, though Gray's being a pansy—"
"Shut up, you asshole!" Gray huffed, flanking Natsu from the other side. "I almost had her."
"Gray. Your pants," Lucy closed her eyes.
Natsu looked over his shoulder, paling at the sight of Adie as his eyes worriedly flickered to Lucy. He slowly turned back to Ultear, "But we're tired of your shit. You don't get to lay a finger on Lucy. Or Adie." He jerked his thumb toward the demi-spirit, who was obviously taken aback at this odd display of companionship and unity. "So we're going to end this. Together."
Lucy stared at him, awed and inspired. She caught the flicker of movement around her as his fists flamed. Wendy and Nani landed to her left as Gajeel and Juvia appeared on the opposite side of Natsu. Soon, the small force was joined by Mirajane, Elfman, and Fried. Lucy met Adie's eyes as they took in the crowd surrounding them. Worn, tired, and dirty, the surviving allied forces mustered the last of their strength to fight, surrounding the two women. She noted the overwhelmed expression on Adie's face, her eyes rimmed with tears and face streaked with dirt and blood. She looked extremely tired and weak, but was able to recognize just how much the people surrounding her meant to Lucy. What it meant to have a family.
"Ultear, give up!" Mirajane called out, walking forward. Her skin was an inky hue from her demonic transformation and her eyes flashed their distaste for the ice mage. "You don't stand a chance. "
The people behind Lucy cheered for the Fairy Tail Guild Master.
"Hmmph," Ultear held Mirajane's deadly gaze. She looked over her opponents, shrugging slightly as she dropped her sword, the hilt clunking heavily as it hit the earth. She stepped back, fists at her sides and posture becoming stiff. With a rueful smile, she threw her head back, the aura round her blazing brighter and shooting upward. It lasted for about fifteen seconds, and her head snapped forward, eyes ablaze with resolution and a sneer on her face. She looked like she had rejuvenated, and Lucy noted that the magic seal around her eye had disappeared.
"Shit," Lucy muttered under her breath. This can't be good.
"Second Origin," Levy murmured from behind Lucy. "I didn't think it was possible….that anyone…."
"I don't even want to know," Lucy grit her teeth, her head aching from just the concept of whatever Levy was alluding to.
Ultear laughed. "You stupid pitiful beings! You think this will stop me?" Her expression grew crazed, and she pulled an item from her bosom, it was attached to a chain around her neck. "I would have preferred to wait, but I suppose I'll use my finest weapon. Adassandra, you already know her!"
Adie hissed profanity, her teeth bared as she pushed through Lucy and Natsu.
Lucy immediately recognized the item. She gasped as Ultear ripped the item from around her neck, the chain falling to the ground in a dozen tiny pieces. She thrust her hand high and the key flickered in the light, onyx eye glittering. A light shot from the end of the key, climbing skyward. The clouds above swirled with energy as they were penetrated by the deep purple light. The wind whistled around them, and people began to murmur in concern and confusion.
"That's not good, is it?" Natsu asked, eyes studying the clouds. Lightning was flickering above them, weaving in and out of the clouds as the wind howled and sky shook with thunder.
"No, definitely not," Lucy agreed.
The light disappeared, and the clouds suddenly closed. Lucy could see the energy behind their thick veil as it cast an eerie glow. With a deep rumble, the clouds suddenly swirled, more slowly at first, but then picking up speed. A vortex formed, reaching for the earth as it howled and twisted. It touched down hesitantly, tearing up the earth around it. Ultear smiled in satisfaction as the tornado dispersed, leaving behind something.
No. Someone!
"Lilith!" Lucy noted as Adie blurted, "Lil!"
"That's her, huh?" Natsu didn't take his eyes off of the form next to Ultear. "She doesn't look so dangerous."
"Don't underestimate her," Lucy warned, stomach wrenching at the foreboding she felt. She squinted, trying to make out the expression on Lilith's face. The spirit was rigid, looking over her appearance as fi seeing it for the first time. She was clad in a dark, gauzy shifting fabric, her pale shoulders bare and raven hair gathered back behind the thick gold headdress. The ornate garment appeared to be heavy, forming a unique sculpture on top of her head. Between the two prongs was a round stone.
Her eyes fell on her sister, and Lucy thought Lilith looked distraught at Adie's condition. Her foot lifted, as if to take a step, her arms suddenly clamped at her side as Ultear said something to the spirit. Lilith shook her head, and Ultear grabbed her arm, pointing in Lucy's direction. Lilith appeared to be fighting the will of her master.
"She can't resist her, no matter how much she hates her," Leo informed her. "Neophytes are unable to."
"It's not right!" Lucy's voice was low.
"It's why some refuse to lend their keys to this world," Leo agreed. "Imagine what it was like for Aries when Karen was our master."
Lucy noticed that, as Ultear whispered, the stone in Lilith's headdress glowed brightly. It blazed and the clouds tore open again, this time with a massive sucking noise. A giant creature dropped down through the opening, earth quaking with its weight as it impacted. It threw its head back, giant horns on its head and flames spanning from head to haunches as its hooved feet tore at the earth. It was nearly as large as Acognologia. Lucy whimpered at the thought of having to fight it.
"It'll be OK, Luce," Natsu replied, smile strained. "I can take it. No problem."
"You idiot!" Lucy rasped. "You can't take on everything!"
"It's worked so far," he tartly replied.
"It will destroy you, Natsu." Adie turned to face them. "It won't be…so easy, as Lucy is lovingly….referring." She grimaced, and a look of concern passed over Natsu's face. Even Levy whimpered.
"You can't fight," Lucy pointed out to her friend.
"Would you just shut up for a second?" Adie chuckled gruffly, dark circles under her eyes and her teeth looking sharper than Lucy recalled. "You just tried to die for me." She jerked her head in indication, "Your friends are willing to die for you and, well, protect me—someone they don't even know…."
"A friend is a friend, Adie," Levy piped up.
Natsu agreed. "We are a family and we'll die together."
"Yep," Gray nodded, his hand holding his bleeding flank.
Adie closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as a soft smile crept over her lips. Her voice was soft as Lilith's creature screeched its anger. "Thank you." She opened her pale eyes, her expression grave. Her key was in her palm and she suddenly reached for Lucy's dagger with the other. Lucy faltered in confusion, caught off guard as Adie thrust both items at the Spirit mage.
"We don't have much time."
"Huh? Wha?" Lucy looked between the items and Adie multiple times, jar hanging open. She settled into a clueless stare.
Adie gestured with the items. "We don't have much time….I don't…think." Her eyes held a seriousness and determination.
"I think she wants you to take them," Natsu whispered. His words were met with a sharp jab of Lucy's elbow as she reached out with trembling fingers. Adie lifted them into Lucy's hands. The spirit mage looked at Leo, who softly nodded his head, lips pressed together in concern.
Sure? she mouthed. Adie silently nodded.
"What's goin' on?" Gajeel asked, confused.
Neither woman responded as Adie stepped backward, toward her sister, Ultear, and the monster. She watched Leo as she did so, smiling sadly. She faltered and fell to her knees as Lucy flipped the dagger in a swift movement, shoving the sharp end into the notch of the key. It fit perfectly.
At first, nothing happened. Then the tine melded together and the key became whole, the hilt of the now bladeless dagger in Lucy's left hand. The key glowed and the eye glittered more brightly as Lucy met Adie's eyes one last time. The demi-spirit's skin grew brighter until it burned to look at her. Then suddenly the light left, as quickly as it came. and Adie was before them no more.
"What the hell?" Natsu jumped and some people cried out. "Is she d-d-d—?"
Lucy inhaled, stepping forward, holding the repaired key in her hand and squeezing it to her chest tightly. Her heart was pounding as she walked forth, away from her comrades. She heard Natsu try to follow her, but Leo put out an arm to stop him, silently shaking his head.
She threw her arm away from her side, the key between her fingertips as she exhaled slowly. She had no idea what she was doing, but it felt right to her. It was if she knew. As if it were destiny. The words slowly made their way to her tongue, which felt unbearably heavy with the burden she had been carrying.
"Open the Gate…."
Her destiny.
"….to the Gatekeeper!"