A/N: Episode 196.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: SIN AND SACRIFICE

"Jellal..." Millianna muttered.

"Millianna!" Jellal exclaimed as Siegrain grunted, knowing where this conversation was heading.

Erza slaps Jellal's hand back. "Millianna, wait!"

"It's okay, Erza." Jellal told her.

"No, it isn't." Erza protested, facing Millianna. "I've forgiven Jellal. Siegrain has forgiven Jellal."

Siegrain slowly nods at Erza's words, confirming it. "Why protect Jellal? He killed Simon!" Millianna argued.

"I don't forgive him! I never will! I'm going to kill Jellal!" Millianna declared.

Siegrain was losing his patience.

"You can't rewind the past but you can change the future. Jellal has done a lot of fucked up shit and hurt a lot of people but that doesn't mean he deserves to be killed for it." Siegrain spoke up, getting Erza and Jellal's attention. "Jellal will always be under my protection. So if you want to kill him, you better start with me."

His words made Erza, Jellal, and Millianna get taken aback. "Well? I'm waiting, Anna." Siegrain urged on. "Go ahead and strike me. I won't even fight back."

Millianna's whole body was shaking as she was lost for words.

Ultear soon showed up. "Ultear..." Jellal muttered.

"In the first place, your grudge against Jellal is misplaced." Ultear claimed.

"Who are you?" Millianna asked.

"I'm the woman who manipulated Jellal from the shadows." Ultear replied, confusing Millianna.

"You're lucky, boy. You get to meet a god. As the most powerful wizard in history, I am a god. Follow me. Hatred itself is my existence."

"Tell me, Siegrain... Are you done pretending to be a hero?"

"Stop it, Ultear!" Siegrain exclaimed.

"That's the kind of woman I am." Ultear chuckled. "It just doesn't work for me. No matter how long I play at being on the side of justice... I'm just corrupt at heart."

"Did something happen?" Jellal questioned.

"Not especially. More importantly, this is no time to stand around and chat. Those mini-dragons are still crawling out of the woodwork. Let's split up and beat them. Also, kitty-cat..." Ultear paused, turning to Millianna.

"I'm the one who murdered Simon. And I'm the one who ordered the Tower of Heaven built." Ultear confessed. "If you want to hold that against me, survive. I'll give you a chance at revenge later on."

Ultear waved goodbye as she left.

"The truth is, she's a victim, too. She was never taught the difference between right and wrong." Erza claimed.

"I... I don't understand any of this..." Millianna muttered in confusion.

Jellal looked up at the sky. "There's something wrong with this world."

"Even so, we have to live." Siegrain stated.

A little ways away, Kagura sheathed Archenemy, lost in her own thoughts.

Kaira was also looking at Jellal, Siegrain, Erza, and Millianna.

"Are you sure you're going to go through with it? Killing him, I mean?"

"I have to. If he's dead, then my father will have no reason to sacrifice his life."

"Killing Jellal won't bring your father back, you know."

"Perhaps not. But it sure as hell would make me feel better. After all, I can't kill him, so killing the person that was the cause of my Dad's death is the next best thing."

Kaira recalled her conversation with Future Lucy as she unclenched her fist and glanced down before a tear fell from her face and she quietly sobbed, getting the attention of Kagura.

"Hey... Are you all right?"

Kaira looked up, seeing Kagura. "Kagura-chan..." She mumbled.

Kagura widened her eyes. "You know of me?" She asked, shocked since she swears she's never met this girl before.

"Yes, you're Mermaid Heel's new—" Kaira stops in her tracks, realizing if she told Kagura that bit of information, it could affect the future. "Sorry, never mind. But yes, I know you. And I'm fine. Just having a moment is all."

Kaira looked back at the group. "It seems I can't kill Jellal after all... Lucy-san was right."

Her statement surprises Kagura. "You wanted to kill him too?"

Kaira sighs as she stands up. "It's a bit complicated to explain, but he's the reason my Dad is dead, or so I wanted to believe. Maybe I just wanted to put the blame on someone." She turns and walks away, leaving behind a confused Kagura.

"I'll protect the future a different way." Kaira thinks to herself.

"The only way to put the world back the way it was... is by killing Rogue..." Ultear told herself.

"The present-day Rogue hasn't done anything wrong. Kill him, you say... You want us to go down the wrong path, too?"

Kaira's words rang in Ultear's ears as she dropped to the ground, clenching her fist. "This... is me..." She thought, standing back up and continuing on her way.

"What're you just standin' around for?!"

Rogue heard Sting's voice as he turned around. "Sting!" He exclaimed as Sting was running towards him.

"I'll give you a hand! Let's go!" Sting shouted.

"Did you take one of them down?" Rogue asked.

The dragon appeared behind Sting, crashing into some buildings. "Nope! I brought it with me!" He replied.

"What?!"

Sting laughed. "This is funny?!" Rogue questioned as Sting began running in place.

"No matter what anyone says, we're partners!" He claimed.

"Scissor Runner, my capture mission is quite a chore. Help me out."

"I don't care about that, Levia." Scissor Runner said as him and Levia looked down at Sting and Rogue. "I'm going to obliterate all the humans!"

"Let's show 'em the power of the Twin Dragons, Rogue!" Sting grinned.

"Sure." Rogue agreed as him and Sting stood back to back, facing Scissor Runner and Levia.

"That's right. As long as he's with me, everything's okay." Rogue thought as Sting winked and still had a grin on his face. "And if I become steeped in evil, I'm sure the light will kill me!"

Gray, Lyon, and Juvia dodged the incoming beam as Lyon leaped into the air, his fists placed together.

"Ice-Make: Snow Tiger!" Lyon called out as the beam destroyed the ice tiger,

"Ice Cannon!" Gray shouted as the ice cannon was destroyed.

"Gray-sama's Ice Cannon... was pulverized?" Juvia muttered to herself as Gray landed on the ground.

"It's not in my nature to be on the defensive end like this. Let's go, Lyon!" Gray said.

"Of course!" Lyon agreed.

"Ice-Make: Freeze Lancer!"

"Ice-Make: Snow Dragon!"

The two attacks combined, destroying three of the mini dragons and causing an explosion. However, three more showed up.

"Bastard!" Gray cursed.

"Secure the shields! Let's go!" Lyon said, rushing off.

"Gray-sama!" Juvia called for him.

"I know!" Gray responded as beams were shot at them. Both Gray and Lyon used their Ice Magic to put up a large ice shield around them, blocking the beams.

"Damn things keep poppin' up... I'm sick of ya!" Wakaba blew out some smoke.

Macao and Romeo were blasting purple fire from their hands. "Keep it up, Romeo!" Macao encouraged.

"I know!" Romeo said.

Macao and Romeo's attacks combined with Wakaba's as it made an explosion. Two of the mini dragons fired their beams at them as the three of them ducked down.

"Dammit! Those sons of bitches are tough!" Macao claimed.

"There's no end to 'em! What do we do, Macao?!" Wakaba asked.

"You're asking me?" Macao questioned.

"Are you giving up, Pop?" Romeo asked. "Are you givin' up?!"

"Idiot, who said anything about that?!"

Romeo fell forwards as Macao caught him by the shoulders. "I'm not gonna let you die on me." He claimed.

"Don't treat me like a little kid." Romeo looked up at his father. "Pop, I'm a Fairy Tail wizard, too!"

"Hey, father and son! No time for a tender moment! We got incoming!" Wakaba informed as the beams fired at their hiding spot.

Macao had shielded Romeo from the blast. "Romeo..."

"I've still... got a long way to go..." Romeo stated.

"Dammit. That hurt." Macao groaned, falling back.

"Cripes... I'm gettin' old, too. Good grief..." Wakaba commented.

"Are you a Dragon Slayer?" The rock dragon asked Cobra.

"Don't address me so familiarly. Your vile voice makes my ears ring. I'm in high spirits after being locked up for so long. I wanna absorb many voices. So don't get in my way, stone monstrosity!" Cobra claimed.

"Cheeky human!"

Cobra avoided the attack as he leaped into the air. "I can hear your attack!"

"I'll lend you a hand!" Ichiya offered.

"Out of the way, you extra!" Cobra declined, poison coming from his fist as he slammed it down on the dragon. "Poison Dragon's Sharp Horn!"

"You're calling me an extra...?!" Ichiya said, offended as he narrowly avoided the poison coming at him. "My rear is cooking! Men!"

Ichiya flew up in the air. "I warned you to get out of the way." Cobra said as the dragon roared once more. "Bastard. So that didn't work?"

Natsu was still riding on Atlas Flame. "You're built to last... but come on!" Natsu challenged.

"One who has determination knows no defeat!" Future Rogue claimed.

"Is that right? Well, the same thing applies to me!" Natsu said as Motherglare and Atlas Flame clashed.

Meanwhile, Ultear was walking through the destruction as the battle against the dragons raged on before she finally stopped and fell to her knees.

"He stopped me." Ultear thought as wind blew through her hair. "I didn't kill him, but that's not the point. I was about to kill an innocent human being! I was on the verge of snuffing out a person's life... without considering any consequences."

Ultear's hand shook. "I really haven't changed." She continued as a tear fell onto her palm. "What good is Crime Sorciére? My crimes can't be expunged."

Lucy was running through the debris holding a journal. "Where is everyone?!" She called out. "I have to tell them about this!"

A beam was suddenly shot at Lucy as she collapsed to the ground. "Ow..." She mumbled. Lucy looked up as she saw that she was surrounded by the mini dragons.

"The little dragons! Oh, no! I'm surrounded!" Lucy exclaimed as the dragons prepared to fire once more. "I don't have time to..."

"Thirds Asterism!"

White bursts of light connected by lasers attacked the multiple dragons at separate points, destroying them and causing an explosion.

"Kaira!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Go, Lucy! I know how important that notebook is!" Kaira informed, eying Future Lucy's notebook. "You need to go inform the others at the palace immediately!"

"R-Right! Thank you!" Lucy thanked the pink-haired woman as she continued on her way.

"Take this!" Laxus shouted, firing lightning at Zirconis. "Wretch! You're outclassed, dirty old man!"

"I wonder how long you'll be able to prattle, snot-nosed brat." Zirconis claimed as Laxus continued firing lightning at him.

Zirconis, however, fired the attack right back as everyone else ducked. Laxus was attacked as he fell to the ground.

"When you call someone a snot-nosed brat, be sure you're prepared to face the blowback that goes with it!" Laxus shouted, attacking Zirconis with his lightning once more.

"Come! Bring it on, stripling!" Zirconis challenged.

"Bastard..." Laxus muttered.

Erza continued to slash at the mini dragons before dodging the incoming beams. Jellal and Siegrain leaped into the air before attacking four of them with a black and white hole that conjoined together and destroyed them.

"There are too many of them!" Erza informed.

"That's unusual. Are you complaining, Erza?" Jellal asked.

Erza slashed another dragon. "It's not a complaint!" She replied.

"That's fine." Jellal turned around. "With the two of us together... we'll fight to the very end!"

Siegrain scoffed. "I'm here too, you know." He reminded. "Anyway, can you two make out later? We're on a battlefield, in case you've forgotten that bit."

"We're not a couple!" Jellal shouted while Erza turned away so Jellal wouldn't see her pink-tinted cheeks.

Jet was helping Droy stand up. "Stand up, Droy!" Jet said, trying to support him. "You're heavy!"

"I can't! My legs won't listen to me..." Droy informed.

"Dammit! Get ahold of yourself, Droy." Jet told him as he struggled to lift Droy up. "This is why I'm always tellin' you to go on a diet!"

"Jet... You've done enough. Leave me here." Droy said.

"Idiot! Like I could do that... I'll move you through will alone!"

Three dragons fired their beams at the two as they both laid on the ground. "Damn, that hurt!" Droy exclaimed.

"That was close..." Jet sat up. "Come on, stand up... while you have the chance."

"I'm telling you... I can't... I'm worried about Levy. Please, even if it's you alone... go help her..."

"Stand up!" Jet winced. "Jeez... You're not makin' this easy... Feels like I've got one foot in the grave myself... I'm not going to help Levy alone. The two of us are goin' together."

Jet stands up again, supporting Droy. "I swear... we're gonna help her together..." He continued.

"Sorry I'm so heavy..."

"Don't give in! If your spirit breaks, it's all over, Droy!"

Another dragon came up and fired their beam at them.

Lucy continued running. "I have to tell them! I have to tell them all!" She claimed.

Arcadios and Lily were fighting off the mini dragons while the royal guards surrounded Hisui to protect her.

Elfman narrowly avoided the dragon's beam. "Elf-nii-chan! Are you okay?!" Lisanna asked in worry.

"Stay back, Lisanna!" Elfman told her.

Lisanna turned around. "If it's tough on one person, then two people..." She started to say.

"No, you support somebody else. There are too many of these things here. While I charge 'em, you get away!" Elfman charged forward. "I'm gonna show 'em just how damn strong Fairy Tail is!"

"Elf-nii-chan!" Lisanna screamed out.

"Man!"

"Devour this! Iron Dragon's Roar!" Gajeel released his breath attack on the dragon, causing an explosion. "Now, that had some effect."

However, the dragon was still standing. "Dammit! It's like brand-new and just-out-of-the-box!" Gajeel said.

In the sky, Mother Glare and Atlas Flame clashed again. "That's the way, Uncle!" Natsu cheered.

"Mother Glare!" Future Rogue shouted.

Mother Glare lifted into the sky before diving down, causing Atlas Flame and Natsu to crash. Mother Glare lifted into the sky again.

"That's what happens when you underestimate Dragon Manipulation Magic." Future Rogue claimed.

Atlas Flame and Natsu appeared from the smoke. "I'm only just gettin' started!" Natsu shouted as Atlas Flame rammed into Mother Glare.

Happy soon saw an explosion up ahead. "Are you okay, Pop?" Romeo questioned.

"Y-Yeah. Yeesh. What a bind." Macao answered. "It feels like winnin' the Grand Magic Games happened ages ago."

"You're okay, Romeo!" Happy appeared above them.

"Happy!"

"Wakaba! Um..." Happy trailed off.

"It's Macao!" Macao told him. "Like I have to introduce myself?!"

Debris soon fell on top of them as Romeo was clenching onto his shoulder in pain. "Dammit! My shoulder..." He said.

"My lower back... just gave out..." Wakaba informed.

"All right. You're still unharmed, right?" Macao asked Happy.

"I'll call for help! Wait here!" Happy replied.

Happy was about to fly away but Wakaba grabbed onto his tail, keeping him from going any further.

"What's wrong?" Happy questioned.

"We're fine. We don't need no help." Wakaba replied.

"But you're all beat up." Happy argued.

"I know I ain't as sharp as I used to be when I got you worrying about me."

"You heard the man. We don't need any help. Get going, Happy." Macao said.

"But I can't leave you like this!"

"We're Fairy Tail wizards!" Macao exclaimed.

"Pop's right." Romeo agreed.

"Romeo, you too?" Happy asked.

"We're fighting. Natsu-nii and everyone else... Right now is the time to fight!" Romeo responded.

"Romeo... Got it! But promise me."

"Promise?" Wakaba repeated.

"Promise that you'll live through this!" Happy said.

"Okay, you got it. I promise." Macao told him.

"Good!" Happy nodded and flew off.

"For what it's worth..."

"Pop..."

"Actin' cool in front of your son..."

More debris fell on top of them as Happy flew off.

Beams continued firing and causing explosions. "Juvia!" Meredy shouted out.

"Meredy!" Juvia exclaimed.

"Have you seen Ul? I got separated from her!" Meredy asked.

"I haven't seen her, but..." Juvia trailed off as beams were pointed right at Juvia and Meredy.

"Look out!" Gray warned as he grabbed onto Juvia and Meredy, making them duck for cover.

"Don't lose focus!" Lyon shouted as he froze another dragon. "This is a battleground!"

Gray and Meredy stood up. "Sorry!" Meredy apologized.

Juvia's face was red. "Gray-sama touched Juvia's behind..." She muttered.

"Juvia..." Gray called out her name, getting her attention. "Juvia, I want to tell you something."

Juvia sat up. "W-W-What is it?" She asked.

"Oh, it's not important..."

"It may be important to Juvia!"

"I can already tell this involves a huge misunderstanding." Meredy commented.

"Maybe he's going to confess his love for me..." Juvia thought as she clasped her hands over her mouth. "W-What should I do?!"

"Juvia!" Lyon shouted out suddenly.

A dragon aimed its beam at Juvia as Gray grabbed onto Juvia's shoulder, pushing her down and causing the beam to strike him instead. Lyon and Meredy watched with wide eyes.

More beams fired at him. "Huh?" Gray spoke in confusion.

Another beam soon struck Gray in the head as he collapsed to the ground.

"No!"

"Gray!"

Somewhere else, Siegrain knocked down more of the dragons. "They just keep coming!" He complained.

He turned around, seeing Jellal and Erza were fighting off the mini dragons as well. However, he widened his eyes upon seeing a dragon aiming at them.

"Jellal, Erza!" Siegrain called out, pushing them down as he got struck in the chest by the beam instead, causing both Jellal and Erza to widen their eyes.

Another dragon soon came behind him and struck his head, causing Siegrain to collapse to the ground sideways as blood began to show from underneath him.

Erza was in shock as a tear ran down Jellal's face.

"Siegrain!"

Meanwhile, Ultear was still on her knees as a tear fell from her face. "I don't deserve... to live anymore..." She thinks to herself.

A/N: Don't worry! Siegrain's not dead because Ultear happens. If you think this will be Siegrain's only near-death experience, you're sorely mistaken.

Thanks for reading!

~ Kaleb.