"You better give Luce back!" Natsu yelled threatening Ikuto.

"Or what?" Ikuto asked slyly.

"I'll burn you to a crisp." Natsu replied, fire burning in his eyes.

"Love to see you try." Ikuto replied.

"Fire Dragon's... Wing Attack!" Natsu said as Ikuto dodged.

"We'll distract him! Once he let's go of Lucy's X Character, try to purify it to normal again!" Erza said to the Guardians.

"Right." The Guardians replied.

"What should I do, Mistress Erza?" Virgo asked just standing in place.

"Join me and the others with Ikuto. We'll need it." Erza said.

Virgo nodded and the battle started to save Luce again. "Fire Dragon... Iron Fist!" "Ice Make: Bazooka!" "Attack!" "For Princess!"

Ikuto dodged the attacks Team Natsu gave him swiftly. He didn't seem to hesitate once against any of it. When Erza saw that their attacks didn't do anything, she had an idea. But she didn't say it out loud. Once Gray, Natsu and Virgo was by her side, Erza made eye contact with each one and they understood. Virgo had dug underground waiting for the time to attack.

"Fire Dragon... Roar!" "Ice Make... Lance!" "Go on... my 10 swords!" The 3 said.

Ikuto jumped up and tried to dodge the combined attacks. He had somehow made it. But then, Virgo appeared after the attacks and punched Ikuto in the stomache. Ikuto winced and his hand let go of the small X Character. Which went to the Guardians at - suspicious - will. The Guardians took position. Making sure to be cautious.

"I'm dying." The Chara said. "There's no hope. Impossible!" The X Chara's hand lit up with a golden glow and shooted it.

"Split up!" Nagi shouted as the others jumped out of the way.

"Heart Rod!" Amu chanted. She twirled it around as it appeared in her hands. Then aimed a powerful shot to the Chara. The X Chara didn't move. Then it just slapped it away with it's tiny little hands.

"What?" Rima asked confused.

"It just slapped Amu's attack!" Yaya said stating the obvious.

"Impossible! Impossible!" The X Chara continued to say as it shot out more blasts at them.

Back with Team Natsu and Ikuto's battle, Virgo had left. Leaving the 3 mages to battle. "You're not taking Luce away!" Natsu said breathing fire from his mouth intensely.

"We won't let you take our team mate!" Gray said getting in postion.

"You might as well leave now!" Erza said re-quipping armors.

"Don't count on it." Ikuto said.

The cat boy started to attack Natsu as he slashed away at Natsu's arms and the fire dragon slayer just blocked it. Erza switched into her Flight Armor - which made her extremely faster - and started hitting Ikuto in different places. Ikuto jumped backwards from the dragon slayer and Gray saw this as his chance to hit.

"Ice Make: Lance!" He said. The ice aimed at Ikuto, but the cat boy just destroyed it with his claws.

"Missed." Ikuto said.

"Quit being cocky!" Erza said. She dashed for Ikuto but, he dodged just in the nick of time. That was what Ikuto thought. Until Natsu came from behind. He kicked Ikuto on the back with his foot on fire and Ikuto fell on the ground, but stood.

"Remember this well. You tell your boss to never mess with our Luce ever again. If you do, we'll destroy all of ya 30 times over again, ya hear!?" Natsu said with his fist on hot fire.

"Since Lucy said you're being controlled we won't end you." Gray said.

"But if anyone else comes after any of us, you'll face all of the concequences." Erza said.

Ikuto breathed tiredly and then Yoru spoke up. "Let's go, Ikuto." He pleaded. Ikuto could only nod and used the last bit of strength he had to flee from the battle field.

Meanwhile, the Guardians' attacks were still not working. Luce's X Chara was tough. Very tough and the sun had almost set. "Wendy! You help them! Please!" Lucy shouted.

Wendy stood up confidtently. "I'll try my best." She assured. Wendy dodged the X Chara's attacks as she made her way to the front. "Sky Dragon... Roar!" She chanted, blowing the X Chara to a tree trunk.

"Impossible!" The Chara said.

"Lucy! You don't have to go! You don't have to go and die!" Amu said, getting the Chara's attention. "We can save you if you just let us! You don't have to fight, just come back!"

"Impossible..." The Chara repeated in a softer tone.

"It's not impossible!" The pink haired girl retorted. "You can still go back home! Back to your guild with Natsu and the others. It's possible, Lucy! You just have to believe in us and your friends!"

The X Chara shook its tiny head and then raised its hands to its face. A transparent X Egg surrounding the tiny body. "I don't know anymore..." It said as a surge of power gathered around it, then an orb of darkness shot itself towards Amu.

"Amu!" Tadase shouted. "Holy Crown!" Tadase jumped in front of Amu and shielded her from the X Chara's attack.

"Tightrope Dancer!" Rima chanted tying the X Chara up.

"Merry Merry!" Yaya chanted making the X Chara sleepy.

"Blaze Shoot!" Nagi chanted as the X Chara had stopped.

"Go now Amu!" Wendy said.

"Negative Heart; Lock On!" Amu chanted making her hands into a heart formation and aimed it at the X Chara. "Open Heart!" Beams of colorful hearts came out of her hands and it purified the X Chara. Putting it back in it's egg and going back into Luce. Amu landed back down and was exhausted as the others. But that didn't stop them from cheering.

"Yay! We did it guys!" Natsu shouted jumping in the air as Amu joined him as well.

"Lucy! Come join us!" Amu shouted, calling for her twin.

But when the others turned to her, they all stopped cheering. Lucy was by Luce's body. The celestial mage hadn't awoken. Both Happy and Carla stood by the 10 year old, paws on her shoulders. Comforting the girl as they had silent tears falling from their faces. Quiet sniffles being heard from all 3 of them.

"Hey Lucy! What's wrong? We did it!" Gray said with a smile.

Silence.

"No." Lucy spoke up. "We didn't make it in time."

"What?" Everyone asked.

"Don't any of you see? It's nightfall." Carla said sternly and hurt. "Our Lucy has left."

"Aye. She's right." Happy said. "Our Lucy is now inside her."

Everyone just stood in silence. Amu had placed her hand over her mouth in shock. While the Charas had detransformed. The rest of the Guardians hung their head down in sadness. Team Natsu just stared at their team mate, guild member and friend with great sad despair. Natsu's eyes seemed to have become lost. That, they have lost all hope for his dear Luce.

"I..." Natsu started. "Didn't even say a proper goodbye to her." Lucy could only tremble, as she cried for her older self. Feeling the most guilty for it. Natsu moved to Luce's side and held Luce in his arms. "There's no way your gone!" He suddenly shouted. Everyone's heads jerked up from the so sudden outburst.

"Natsu we were too late just let it-"

"We already decided to surprise everybody back in Fairy Tail that you're alive! You can't leave yet! You just can't!" The fire dragon slayer shouted, cutting Erza off.

"Natsu." Lucy mumbled softly.

"I'm gonna say this once Luce! You better be happy that I'm saying this in front of your new self, ya got me!?" He shouted.

"Hey... what're you-"

"I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YA! I NEED YOU BY MY SIDE! WHO'S GONNA COMFORT ME WHEN I FEEL UTTER PAIN!? WHEN I AM OVERCOME BY ANGER!? I NEED YOU LUCE! I NEED YA! I LOST YOU ONCE BECAUSE I COULDN'T PROTECT YOU! I'M NOT LOSING YOU AGAIN! I LOVE YOU LUCY, YOU HEAR!?" He yelled at the top of his lungs, cutting Gray off. "I love you... I need you... Lucy..."

Everybody had become even more shocked. That Natsu had just said that in front of them. Gray didn't dare say any teasing words, like he would've during a confession. Gray knew better than to say anything in a moment like that. Natsu cried as he hugged Luce tightly. Lucy couldn't stop staring at the pair, shocked.

Once Lucy got a hold of herself, she closed her eyes. Thinking back on everything that had happened. Even what had happened at the scientist. The 10 year old opened her eyes again and brought herself to Natsu and Luce's body. "Natsu." Lucy spoke up first. Natsu moved his head up a little to look at the girl's face. "Let me wake up your Lucy."

Everyone snapped out of their silent position and spoke up. "What?" Erza asked.

"I'll wake Lucy up." Lucy repeated to her.

"But how?" Wendy asked.

"I'll give up my life... for her own." Lucy replied.

"What!?" Amu spoke up this time.

"You can't be serious!" Tadase said too.

"I've made my decision guys." Lucy answered not looking.

"But, that means you'll leave!" Yaya protested.

"They're right! You can't just leave your friends and family!" Gray said.

"But I won't be leaving them." Lucy said making them stop. "The scientist said that if I went back into my other's body. Everyone I knew would forget about me. Everything about my existence was like a dream. But not you, Team Natsu."

"What do you mean, Lucy?" Nagi asked.

"All of you will still remember each other. Not me of course. I don't know what will happen to your memory, but I'm sure the story will stay the same as of now." Lucy explained smiling sadly. "So long as you remember Lucy Heartfilia, you will remember Lucy Hinamori as well."

"But I can't bear to forget about you, Lucy! You're my sister!" Amu protested about to cry.

"Don't worry. You won't forget about me until you fall asleep. Team Natsu will forget me once they're back in Magnolia." Lucy reassured her twin sister.

"But... we don't want to forget." Yaya said already crying alot.

"There has to be another way!" Tadase said.

"No Tadase. This is the only way." Lucy revealed.

"But you're a Guardian, Lucy." Rima spoke up. "You'll stay."

"Rima take good care of Amu." Lucy replied ignoring the girl.

"Are you sure about this?" Erza asked unsure of Lucy's idea.

"I'm sure, Erza." Lucy replied. Lucy stood up and hugged Amu tightly.

The pink-headed girl returned the hug, tighter. "I'll miss you, Lucy." Amu said.

"Don't worry. Fate brought me here. Once I'm ready to die in my other, I'll return. Promise." Lucy said holding back tears.

The 2 sisters broke their hug and Lucy looked at the others. They nodded. Proud of her. Lucy nodded back and let go of Amu's embrace. Soft and sad. She knelt down beside Luce and looked at Team Natsu. "See ya again, Lucy." Gray said.

"We'll see you when you wake up." Wendy added too.

"I'll give ya fish when we get to Fairy Tail." Happy offered her.

"Go on now, Lucy." Carla said.

Lucy nodded and faced Natsu. "Are you ready now... Luce?" He asked.

"I'm ready... Natsu." Lucy replied as she closed her eyes slowy. She remembered what Luce had said when they switched bodies the first time.

"Just hold hands with me."

Lucy held Luce's hands as a magic circle went around the 2. Their blonde hair floated around them gently and Lucy faded as she returned to Luce. Natsu stood up and covered his eyes along with the others. Not wanting to be blinded a lot. Lucy was now smiling as she cried and she turned over to the Guardians, smiling back. Before she disappeared into a blinding light, she said 2 final words to her temporary family.

"Thanks guys." Lucy said.

Team Natsu looked over at the Guardians as they started to cry their hearts out for the girl. Once the magic circle and bright light had dismissed, everyone leaned in to Lucy. She didn't move. But they had to wait. Natsu stepped forward. Going toward the sleeping girl.

"Luce?" He whispered asking. Everyone leaned in further.

Then, Lucy's eyebrows twitched ad she fluttered her eyes open. "What happened?" She asked sitting up.

Team Natsu had their mouths hang open and the Guardians pushed them toward Lucy as they tackled the celestial mage. Natsu hugged her first and then heard something clang. He turned to his side to see the celestial keys on the ground. Natsu picked it up and handed it to Lucy. Which she hugged.

"Um... Luce?" Natsu asked.

"Yeah Natsu?" Lucy replied.

"Do you remember anything from before you woke up?" Natsu asked again.

"No. Why would you ask that? I was asleep, remember?" Lucy said.

"It's because Natsu said tha-!?" Happy was cut off thanks to Natsu covering his mouth.

"Are you guys hiding something from me."

"Nope!" The dragon slayer replied.

Erza, Wendy, Gray and Carla laughed and decided not to mention anything Natsu said. Lucy looked over at the Guardians. Who were still mourning for their lost friend. Lucy was able to put 2 and 2 together and realized how she was alive at the moment. She felt sorry towards the Guardians and soon got an idea.

"Hey Erza?" Lucy asked.

"Yes Lucy?" Erza responded.

"Do you have something that Master gave you to keep in contact?" Lucy asked politely.

"Yes. This stone, carved to look like our guild mark." Erza replied showing it to her. "I was going to contact Master to open a portal for us to return."

"Great you do that. After, give it to me, will ya?" Lucy asked. Erza got her message and nodded., approving the idea.

Lucy approached the Guardians and bent down to their level. "Thanks a lot guys. You don't understand how grateful I am towards all of you for taking care of Lucy for me. Even more so that you were able to let her give me life again."

"It's no problem." Yaya said.

"This was our Lucy's decision." Nagi added.

"Yes. But, I want you to have something. So you can talk to us at any time." Lucy said. She turned to Erza as the red-head threw the stone and Lucy catched it. She turned back and gave it to Amu. "This stone keeps in contact with Fairy Tail. If you wanna talk. Just hold this stone and think of us. It should glow and we should answer to it."

The Guardians looked up at Lucy who smiled. Which reminded them of their Lucy's smiles too. They nodded and smiled back. "Thank you." They said all together to Lucy.

The celestial mage hugged each the Guardians in return and soon, the portal opened. "Hey Lucy! Let's get going!" Wendy called going through with Carla and Happy.

"Meet us back at Fairy Tail, alright!" Gray said going through after.

"Let's give them a surprise!" Erza said following after Gray.

Lucy went to Natsu and held his hand. They took one last look at the Guardians waving. They smiled and waved too as they entered the portal as well. Back to the Fairy Tail guild. "Thank you again." Lucy said as the portal closed.

When Natsu opened his eyes, which he didn't realize he closed, the fire dragon slayer was laying on the ground of Fairy Tail's guild hall. Erza, Gray, Wendy, Happy and Carla in the same position. Members of the guild surrounded them and had worried looks on their faces. One by one, each of them sat up and became fully aware where they were.

"Are you guys okay?" Levy asked. "You just appeared out of thin air."

"We're back..." The pink, but apparently salmon, haired boy said before a huge grin spread across his face. "Haha! We made it! We're back!"

Gray stretched his arms, a smirk forming on his face. "It's good to be back."

"That was some adventure, huh?" Happy asked Carla.

"Indeed, I don't think I'll ever forget it." Carla agreed.

That's when Wendy realized that someone was missing. "Wait! Lucy!" She said, quite alarmed.

Erza then noticed the nervous looks on all the members as Wendy said that. She raised an eyebrow, standing up before looking towards Makarov. "Master, is there something wrong?"

"Listen... 2 nights ago, we didn't know who or what did it. But someone has taken Lucy's body from the infirmary." Makarov informed, fully prepared for Natsu's angered yelling.

But everyone was met with silence.

"I see you don't have Lucy's keys, considering you met with her other I'm not surprised. You probably gave them to her." Mira spoke up.

"That's not entirely the case. Well more or less the case." Carla said.

"What do ya me-"

Gajeel was cut off however, when the doors to the guild suddenly opened and panting could be heard from the person who opened them. "What the heck..." A familiar voice to everyone in the room spoke, out of breath. "How is it that you guys get transported here, but I get dropped off at my apartment!?"

Everyone except Team Natsu's eyes widened as they slowly looked up at the person at the door. Their jaws dropped, seeing their beloved blonde celestial mage standing before them. Not only clean of the dry blood that had surrounded her the last time they saw her, but breathing... actually breathing. They were all speechless.

Lucy soon caught her breath and took in the tears that began to form in some of the fairies' eyes. More specifically Mira, Levy, Cana and surprisingly Juvia. She realized that just barging in the guild like nothing ever happened was probably not the wisest thing but they were bound to find out eventually.

"L-Lucy...?" Levy stammered. "I-Is t-that really... really you?"

The blonde nodded and the bluenette immediately ran to hug her best friend, whom she thought to be dead forever. She was a crying mess and all Lucy could do was hug back. Letting Levy feel her warmth and heartbeat, proving to her that Lucy was indeed standing there and was real.

Everyone else soon followed, either as a blubbering mess or cheering for her in happiness. Lucy hugging each individual and soothing their cries or cheers by just simply saying their name. But throughout the entire ordeal, all she could think of was the certain young girl that was able to make this all possible for her.

"So this is Fairy Tail..." A faded voice spoke in Lucy's head. "I can see why you consider it family."

"Mhm..." Lucy hummed in her thoughts as she responded to the voice, a single tear falling from her eye. "Thank you for giving me another chance at life."

"I never expected for you to still remember after all that's happened." The voice noted but then giggled, their voice fading slowly. "But since we are one and the same... I guess it makes sense. I wish you happiness Lucy Heartfilia..."

"I'll remember you in their place... Lucy Hinamori..." Lucy thought.

And the end after who knows how many years! I know that this was way overdue, but I'm just glad that in the end I was able to give the final chapters. I hope you all liked the ending and did I not say in the summary that this will contain a NaLu moment. Well you have your moment. Now I can finally close this story off. Thank you and check out my other Fairy Tail fics. Ja ne~!