A/N: Hello, readers! Here you'll see more of how Kaira's trauma affected her and bringing out her 'Jellal' side. Y'all remember how furious Jellal was when he saw Erza unconscious during the fight with Neinhart? That's how furious Kaira will be.

Yes, she'll be fighting Future Rogue instead of Natsu.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: THE ONE WHO CLOSES THE PORTAL

"Still, wow! We can hear it from here." Gray commented.

"It sounds like all of Crocus is shaking from the cheers for Fairy Tail." Juvia added.

"Jeez. Wish they'd shut up already. They're gonna make my wounds vibrate." Gajeel complained.

"Oh, don't be like that. Those are cheers of congratulation." Erza claimed. "Now we can give a good report to Master."

"Well, Gramps aside, this was good for our comrades who went through hard times these past seven years." Laxus said.

Juvia hugged Gray's arm. "Gray-sama, let's go on a date to celebrate our victory! Right now!" She suggested.

"Now?!" Gray exclaimed in shock.

Gray and Juvia looked towards Sting and Lector, who were still hugging as they smiled.

"Listen to that cheering!" Chapati announced. "The strongest guild, Fairy Tail, is back in full force!"

"It's a happy ending, eh, Mabo?" Yajima asked.

"Kabo! I never thought they'd get through the final day without any losses!" Mato commented before turning behind him. "Kabo?"

"Indeed, they started from last place and pulled off a major upset!" Chapati said. "Come to think of it, they were split up into Team A and Team B at first, right?"

"Natsu didn't participate in the final battle, but ultimately, maybe the guild's solidarity is what made all the difference." Yajima responded.

"I see! Mato-kun, what do you think?" Chapati questioned.

"Oh, it was amazing-kabo!" Mato replied.

"Still, we've seen a lot of great matches, haven't we?" Yajima asked.

"Mato-kun, which match made the biggest impression on you during these..." Chapati paused as he saw that Mato was no longer there.

"Huh? I wonder where he went." Yajima said.

"Th-Then, what was the best part for you, Yajima-san?" Chapati questioned.

"The swimsuit competition, of course!" Yajima answered.

"That?"

"It's over, huh?" Gajeel asked.

"The tournament, anyway." Juvia answered.

"Erza, how's your leg?" Gray questioned.

"Nothing I can't handle." Erza replied.

"Still, you know..." Laxus began as his guildmates looked his way. "It just doesn't feel the same without constant screaming."

"Can't argue with that." Gray agreed.

"Although it's a pain in the ass with him around..." Gajeel added.

"Can't really argue there either. By the way, did anyone see a flare?" Erza asked.

"Nope. Other than the one moment that Saint monster had the upper hand, I had my eye out." Laxus replied.

"I didn't see it either." Gray said.

"The thing of it is, there ain't no way the Salamander would remember to signal us." Gajeel claimed, making both Gray and Laxus smile in amusement.

"A flare?" Sting questioned.

"Sting-kun, what are they...?" Lector started to ask.

"Hey..." Sting spoke up, getting the Fairy Tail members attention.

Gajeel rushed forward. "Don't look at me with that annoying face!" He shouted as Lector hid behind Sting.

Juvia was trying to hold him back. "Hey, Gajeel-kun!"

"Oh... I was wondering why Natsu-san didn't participate." Sting said as the Fairy Tail members went quiet.

"Did something happen to Natsu-kun?" Lector questioned.

No one answered him as Gray looked up at Mercurius. "Are you safe, Natsu... Lucy?" He wondered.

Mercurius...

"Fire Dragon's Roar!" Natsu shouted out, releasing his breath attack towards Uosuke.

"Gravity zone!" He shouted, directing the flames away from him. "It won't work no matter how many times you try it-tai!"

"Natsu!" Happy exclaimed.

"I'm hungry, dammit!" Natsu complained.

Kamika had purple paper that was between her fingers. "Confetti! Purple Dance!"

Purple paper latched onto Lucy. "Again with this?! I think you stick with the same pattern too much!" Lucy said.

"Then how about this? I'll start by shredding your clothes!" Kamika said as gray paper were made into ninja stars and headed towards Lucy.

"Wait! That's no joke!"

Lucy soon disappeared into a hole made by Virgo. "This may be too forward of me, but I executed emergency avoidance, Princess."

"Thank you, Virgo!" Lucy thanked her.

"You should be ashamed, coward!" Cosmos claimed as plants headed for Loke, who easily dodged them.

"You know, your angry face is very charming. What do you say the two of us slip out of here and get a bite to eat or something?" Loke suggested.

"You're pushy!"

"Melt! Melt!" Knepper exclaimed.

Purple acid shot up in the air as Wendy blew it away. "Please let us just get by already!" She pleaded.

"That ain't gonna fly! Come on and play with me some more, Dragon Slayer!" Knepper said.

Lily continued trading blows with Kama. "Give up, sinner!" Kama exclaimed.

"Let us pass!" Lily shouted back.

"I already told you! You're not going outside!" Kama said.

"Listen to me!"

"This is for the peace of the people of Fiore! Sinners must be put to death!" Kama claimed.

"We need to get out of here fast, for the sake of Fiore!" Lily argued. "Why won't you try to understand that?!"

"A sinner's words are nothing but noise! They have no meaning!" Kama said.

"W-We can't do this. There's no time to fight..." Future Lucy muttered.

"We're wasting time. Any minute now, the gate will activate, Lucy-san." Kaira said from her spot next to her.

"I know. If we're too late because of this, then we'll..." Future Lucy trailed off as she fell to her knees. Kaira placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Carla turned to them. "Hey! Are you okay?"

"There's no time!" Future Lucy replied.

"According to Future Lucy, we were in the palace when that time came... We're not imprisoned, but in the end, it'll turn out the same way?" Carla questioned herself.

Kaira rubbed Future Lucy's back, trying to calm her down. "While I am worried about the Eclipse Gate activating, I'm more worried about him showing up." The pink-haired woman thought.

"Go! Go!"

A wave of guards were rushing towards the group. "Surround them!"

"More reinforcements... We won't be able to hold out at this rate!" Loke informed.

"There, you see? It's time to be executed!" Kamika said.

"The enemy way outnumbers your side, Princess." Virgo stated the obvious.

"I can see that for myself!" Lucy shouted.

Lily turned back into his Exceed form. "Crap! My body..."

Kama laughed. "So you've already hit your limit, eh?"

"Now I'm mad! Execution!" Natsu exclaimed. "I'm gonna execute all of you!"

"Charge!"

"Circle around him from there!"

A guard suddenly turned around in alarm, getting his colleagues attention.

"What's wrong? Is someone there?"

"No. Maybe just my imagination..."

"Happy! Carla! You two go on ahead and tell the others!" Lily ordered.

"Aye, sir!" Happy replied as him and Carla were flying.

"Understood!"

That's when they got stopped by Uosuke. "Oh, no, you don't-tai!"

"You again?!" Happy exclaimed.

"You people are not leaving this palace... tai?" Uosuke said as he suddenly got surrounded by black shadows. "What is this-tai?!"

"What the hell is this?!"

"I can't move!"

"What is it?!" Happy questioned.

"Moving shadows?!" Carla said.

The royal guards began sinking below the shadows.

"What is this?!"

"What's happening?!"

"What the...?" Natsu questioned as he was sticking his foot in a guard's face.

"What?!" Kama said.

"The shadows are swallowing people up!" Kamika exclaimed.

"What is this, magic?" Cosmos asked.

"We're sinking-tai!" Uosuke said, holding Knepper's wrist.

"Don't let go, Uosuke!" Knepper told him.

"What is this?!" Kamika questioned.

"Kamika! Cosmos!" Kama called out for them as he began sinking too. "You...! Th-The Garou Knights... done by this?! Princess!"

Future Lucy widened her eyes in shock. "What is it?! I don't know anything about that!"

Kaira however, took a step back as she watched the shadows retreated. "It's him! I'm sure of it!" She announced, confusing Future Lucy.

"What the hell is goin' on here?" Natsu mumbled.

Far away from Mercurius...

"I see. So that's what it was..." Jellal muttered.

"Jellal?" Ultear questioned.

"How could I have missed something so simple?"

"Is something wrong?" Meredy asked.

"The Future Lucy said she arrived on July 4th." Jellal began. "But it was actually at midnight on the 3rd."

"We've detected the mysterious magic every year, but she arrived only recently?" Ultear questioned.

"No. The magic force we've felt these past seven years was definitely Eclipse." Jellal replied.

"But this year, it came from humans." Meredy pointed out.

"Lucy and Kaira came back from the future by using Eclipse, the magic from Zeref's books, and that left a residue of magic much like Zeref's in their bodies." Jellal explained.

"Zeref..." Ultear muttered. "The Dark Wizard who can't be defeated."

"I don't like where this is going." Siegrain muttered.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Meredy added.

Jellal turned around. "I understand your anxiety, but right now, there's another problem we need to deal with."

"Right."

"If we assume that everything Future Lucy said is true, she came here late at night on the 3rd. Then the Lucy I saw on the evening of the 3rd..." Jellal trailed off.

Arcadios soon arrived in front of Hisui and Darton. "Princess..." He greeted.

"Arcadios-sama! Then you're safe!" Hisui said.

"Colonel! When I had you thrown into Hell Palace, I'm afraid I was terribly biased..." Darton started to say.

"Let's let bygones be bygones. Does everyone here already know about Eclipse 2?" Arcadios asked.

"Yes. We were just informing all the soldiers. Hopefully word will spread quickly to the Garou Knights as well. The person who came from the future was telling the truth. From this moment forth, the Eclipse Project will move to Eclipse 2." Hisui replied.

"Are you abandoning the first plan to eliminate Lord Zeref?"

Hisui shook her head. "No. But first we need to remove the threat that's right in front of us."

Arcadios drew his sword, causing Hisui's eyes to widen. "What are you...?!" Darton questioned before Hisui was handed the sword.

"It is impermissible for a knight to doubt the words of his master. When your words are proven true, I shall lay down my life. By doubting my master for even one moment, I have brought on great shame..." Arcadios moved the tip of the sword closer to his throat. "... and am prepared to die for it."

"Bastard! Have you gone mad?!" Darton shouted. Arcadios looked at him with a serious look, making Darton get taken aback.

"Princess, please tell me the truth."

"Arcadios-sama, what is the meaning of this?" Hisui asked, her hands shaking.

"I met the people from the future. But they had no knowledge of Eclipse 2. The time travelers knew what would happen, but cried because there was no solution for it." Arcadios said.

"No, my contact told me exactly what to do to deal with it." Hisui argued.

"Then, those people from the future... they lied?" Arcadios questioned. "I can't imagine... how those two could profit from lying to their comrades!"

Hisui widened her eyes. "Two?"

This caught Arcadios' attention as Hisui was now sweating. "The person from the future who advised me was a singular man." Hisui claimed.

"Jellal, listen to me for a moment. Kaira informed me of something important that I believe you should know." Siegrain spoke up.

"What is it?" Jellal turned to his twin.

"She told me her and Lucy weren't the only ones who came from the future." Siegrain replied.

"Then you mean...!" Ultear started to say.

Siegrain nodded. "There was a third time traveler who used to the Eclipse to come back to the past."

"Friend or foe?" Jellal questioned.

"You aren't gonna like my answer." Siegrain replied.

"Siegrain."

Siegrain sighed before looking at Jellal in the eyes.

"Foe."

A ball of black shadows soon formed. "All of the imperial soldiers..." Happy started to say.

"...sank into the shadow!" Carla finished.

"Why are we safe?" Lily asked.

A silhouette soon appeared. "Someone's there!" Loke informed.

"Be careful!" Lucy warned.

"Who the hell are you?" Natsu asked.

Jellal, Siegrain, Meredy, and Ultear were running down the hill.

"Why did the other person come back?!" Jellal asked.

"I don't know. Kaira didn't give me the details but... They're not on her and Lucy's side!" Siegrain responded.

"The shadows are fanning out to the past or the future? Or perhaps to people's hearts? This brings back memories, Natsu Dragneel. I've come from the future. I'm Rogue." Future Rogue greeted.

"Rogue? You're Rogue?!" Natsu quoted.

"From Sabertooth?" Wendy questioned.

"You're from the future?" Lucy asked.

"Not just Kaira and I..." Future Lucy mumbled, turning to Kaira. "Kaira, did you know?"

Kaira sighed. "Unfortunately, yes. Sorry for not informing you, Lucy-san."

"Why?!" Happy mumbled.

Outside, the moon began to change to a blood red.

"Three people came from the future. One was Lucy and Kaira. They came back to warn their friends of danger in the future." Arcadios claimed.

"The other one came back to warn the princess of danger." Darton added.

"The three of them have the same purpose, to save this country. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a fourth and fifth person." Hisui said. "And if you're a knight, then point your blade in the proper direction. I'm going to open the portal. To save this country, I shall draw my blade!"

The moon continued to change to blood red slowly.

Jellal, Siegrain, Ultear, and Meredy were now running through the town. "If what Kaira told me about this person is true, then her and Lucy are both in trouble. Along with Natsu's group!" Siegrain informed.

"Let's hurry to the palace!" Jellal added.

"Did you get rid of the soldiers to help us?" Loke asked.

"You know, you seem different." Natsu claimed.

"Why did you come back from the future?" Carla questioned.

"To open the portal." Future Rogue replied.

"You're talking about Eclipse?!" Lucy exclaimed.

"There are two ways to use Eclipse. One is time travel. The other is as the Eclipse Cannon, an offensive weapon. It's the only way to defeat 10,000 dragons." Future Rogue explained.

"10,000 dragons... can be defeated?!" Future Lucy muttered.

"Then that makes it easy. You're on our side!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Yay! We can beat the dragons!" Happy cheered.

"The future can be saved, right?" Wendy asked.

"No. It isn't that simple. I come from seven years in the future. Seven years from now, dragons rule the world." Future Rogue replied.

"They rule it?" Natsu repeated.

"Th-Then what about the people who are left?" Wendy questioned as Future Lucy narrowed her eyes.

"Not even 10% of the current human population has survived. Of course, Eclipse isn't nearly as powerful as it is now. If the dragons aren't stopped here and now, this world will come to an end." Future Rogue responded.

"Then let's open the portal and blow 'em away! Boom! Easy, right?" Natsu asked.

"However, seven years ago... That is, in the present, someone interfered with the opening of the portal." Future Rogue continued.

"Interfered? Why would they do that?" Lucy questioned.

"Because of that person, the portal wasn't opened. The Eclipse Cannon that was pointed at the 10,000 dragons couldn't fire. Someone led the world to destruction. I'm here to eliminate that person." Future Rogue claimed.

"That's barbaric! If you talk to the person about their reasons, maybe they won't interfere after all." Carla said.

"There's no need for murder." Lily added.

"At such a critical junction in time, words cannot prevent actions. Even if I did convince the person now, they would definitely close the portal. It's already decided."

"Decided?" Lucy quoted.

"Destiny is inescapable. The living will live. The dead will die. The person who closes the portal is going to close the portal. No matter what happens, as long as they're alive." Future Rogue said.

"I don't really follow you." Natsu commented. "But who is this person that interferes?"

Rogue opened his eyes. "You... Lucy Heartfilia!" He answered as a shadow blade headed for Lucy.

"Lucy!" Natsu called out.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion as Natsu tried going after the blade. However, the blade struck Future Lucy instead, making everyone turn around.

Flashbacks.

All Kaira saw were flashbacks.

A blade made of blue light heading towards Jellal.

The blade piercing Siegrain in the chest.

Erza and Wendy showing looks of shock.

Jellal's painful scream.

Future Lucy fell towards the ground as Kaira quickly rushed over and caught her, her hood falling off of her head in the process.

"Lucy-san!" Kaira shouted.

"H-Hey! You!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Lucy!" Happy rushed over as Natsu's whole body was shaking uncontrollably.

"There are two Lucys?!" Future Rogue mumbled.

"Hold on!" Lucy said.

"Lucy!" Happy soon joined her side.

"Stay with us, Lucy-san!" Kaira begged, tears threatening to fall out.

"I didn't... close the portal..." Future Lucy spoke weakly.

"I know! I would never do that!" Lucy told her future self. "Why did you protect me?!"

"You're me in the past... so if you die, I would disappear anyway. Dying with myself and Kaira at my side... it feels weird." Future Lucy claimed.

"It feels weird for me, too! Don't die!" Lucy pleaded.

"H-Hey, what about Healing Magic?" Lily suggested.

"With a wound that deep, nothing can..."

"That's okay. Enough... I never thought I would be able to see any of you again... but I did, one more time. That alone... makes me happy..." Future Lucy said.

"Lucy-san... Don't die!" Kaira pleaded.

"Don't cry, Kaira. I'm... still here." Future Lucy smiled at her.

"It's not the same! Please don't leave me! I can't lose another person dear to me!" Kaira sobbed out, hugging her close.

Happy bawls while Natsu grits his teeth in anger.

"Hey, show me your guild mark." Future Lucy said as her present self did so. Future Lucy touched her hand over it.

"You... Your right hand..." Lucy muttered.

"Natsu! Look! I got my Fairy Tail mark!"

"I wanted to... have more... adventures..." Future Lucy spoke. "Protect... the future."

Kaira removes her hands from Future Lucy, her hands painted in blood. She clenches her fist as her whole body shook in anger.

It was happening to her all over again.

Everyone soon turned towards Future Rogue. "She didn't know that she closed the portal." He muttered.

"The hell with the portal! I would never have done that! But still, you..." Lucy started to say.

"That's now. But you'll close the portal several hours from now." Future Rogue said.

"I'm not gonna close the damn portal!" Lucy argued. "You talk all this nonsense! What are you after?!"

Future Rogue grits his teeth. "The portal will be closed. It's already decided. As long as you're alive..."

"The future me said she wouldn't close it. I believe myself!" Lucy exclaimed.

"There is no truth in your words! Everything is dictated by destiny!" Future Rogue argued, creating another shadow blade.

Natsu was about to make a move when pink hair rushed by him.

"Screw your destiny!" Kaira screamed.

In a flash of white light and almost blinding everyone, Kaira punches Future Rogue in his stomach, causing him to skid on the ground.

"I should go warn the Council about what's coming-" Siegrain started to say.

He was interrupted when a bright light coming from the palace caught his attention. Him along with Jellal, Meredy, and Ultear halted in their tracks.

"Jellal..." Siegrain muttered.

"Go warn the Council. We'll handle this." Jellal told him.

"Right." Siegrain agreed, rushing an opposite direction.

"Protect the future..."

Future Lucy's words rang in Kaira's ears. "Don't worry about a thing, Lucy-san." She mumbled. "I'll do just that. I promise."

Familiarity struck within Natsu.

Kaira had the same crazed look Jellal had during the Tower of Heaven.

A/N: I gave you more clues as to who kills Siegrain! It's probably obvious who does it, but I'm still not revealing it until the Alvarez Empire Arc!

Thanks for reading!

~ Kaleb.