A/N: When Orion refers to Sebastian as 'partner' he means WORK partner, not in a romantic way. Figured I should clear that up.
Episode 185.
Enjoy!
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: MASSORAO VERSUS ERZA
Hell Palace...
Everyone looked at Future Lucy, lost for words. "Wha...?!" Natsu exclaimed as Lucy just blinked, staring at her future counterpart.
"Another Lucy?!" Mira exclaimed.
"W-What does this mean?" Wendy questioned.
"You're not... Gemini, right?" Yukino asked.
"Or from Edolas or something like that?" Happy added.
"You already know about Eclipse, the time-travel portal, right?" Future Lucy questioned.
"Eclipse? Don't tell me..." Lily started to say.
"You used Eclipse..." Carla trailed off.
"...to come from the future." Future Lucy finished as Natsu and Lucy screamed in shock.
"This is... so sudden, I don't understand..." Lucy said.
"This country is about to..." Future Lucy didn't get to finish her sentence as she collapsed sideways.
Natsu rushed up to her. "Hey!"
"A-Are you okay?!"
"It looks like she fainted. She's still breathing."
"What's this about?!" Happy asked.
"I have no idea." Lily replied.
"Lucy came from the future... Then maybe that vision I had..." Carla mumbled to herself.
Mira turned to look at Lucy. "Lucy..."
"This is creeping me out. Why would I...?" Lucy wondered out loud.
Natsu picked up Future Lucy. "Anyway, we can't leave her here. We'll take this Lucy with us, too."
"Let's leave the palace and shoot off a flare." Sebastian suggested.
"Right. It'll let them know Lucy was successfully rescued." Wendy agreed.
"Although I didn't imagine there'd be two of 'em..." Natsu commented.
"But I don't understand. To open the Eclipse Portal, don't you need the power of a Celestial Spirit Wizard?" Darton asked. "So dropping those two into Hell Palace... How does that make sense?"
"Good question. At the time, I already had the 12 Keys. I acted rashly." Hisui replied.
"But they got those 12 Keys back. So how do you intend to open the Eclipse Portal, Princess?" Darton questioned.
"I have no more need of the keys."
"No more need? What do you mean?"
"I used the 12 Keys yesterday to unlock Eclipse. Now I just need a human's hands to open the portal." Hisui explained.
"And that human will bear the responsibility of changing the future of the human race." Darton argued.
"I can't do it alone. That's why I wanted your blessing... And Arcadios to really be here. Whether I open the Portal or not depends on the results of the Grand Magic Games. Right now, let's just observe the tournament." Hisui said.
Minerva smirked. "Let Kagura go." Massorao ordered.
"I'm going to give you a battle worthy of a king." Minerva claimed.
Massorao got into a fighting stance. "I'm not going to ask you again. Free Kagura while you still live." He threatened.
"If you want her, come and get her." Minerva challenged.
Massoro had a dark look in his eyes as he charged forward. "Incredible speed!" Erza complimented.
Massorao aimed his scabbard at Minerva, who traded spots with Erza, shocking the two as Erza blocked Massorao's attack.
"W-What happened?!" Makarov questioned.
"I don't understand..." Kida muttered.
"What happened?" Helena asked.
"Maybe..." Kross trailed off.
"They switched places?!" Massorao thought.
"She switched places with me?!" Erza realized.
"You two fight it out. I'll take on the victor." Minerva told them.
"You're a pretty pathetic king, considering you interrupted us in the first place."
"A king moves her pawns according to her own strategy." Minerva said. "Consider it an honor. I acknowledge that I can't take you both on. I admit that I underestimated you. A king must win, no matter what the circumstances."
"Give me back Millianna!" Erza yelled as Minerva made Kagura and Millianna disappear.
"I accept the conditions! But release Kagura!" Massorao shouted.
Minerva only chuckled, disappearing as well.
"She really got the jump on us, eh?" Erza asked.
"Shut your mouth." Massoro replied, turning around to face her. "I'm going to cut you down, as well as the overgrown cat."
"Things have gotten complicated, but what do you make of it, Yajima-san?" Chapati questioned.
Yajima hummed. "Well, the rules don't really apply to this situation. It falls into the gray area of strategy." He replied.
"What?! But then what'll become of Millianna and Kagura-chan?!" Beth asked.
"It's frustrating not being able to do anything but watch." Arana claimed.
"It can't be helped." Risley said, opening her eyes. "Massorao, saving Kagura-chan and Millianna is up to you!"
Orga was covered in black lightning as he faced Laxus. "This should also be an interesting match-up." Yajima commented.
"We finally meet, Laxus." Orga commented.
"Black lightning, eh?" Laxus questioned.
"You've already realized it, haven't you? I'm the Lightning God Slayer." Orga said.
"You may be able to kill a god, but I don't know about a fairy." Laxus stated as yellow lightning surrounded him.
"Oh? I've stumbled upon something interesting."
Both Laxus and Orga turned upon seeing Orion walking up to them. "My partner and best friend ditches the tournament and disappeared off to Lord knows where. So its safe to say I'm not in the greatest mood right now." Orion warned before smirking. "I'm gonna have fun wiping the floor with the both of you."
"Wow! The remaining members are all pairing up to duel!" Chapati announced.
"Come to think of it though, where's Sting-kun?" Yajima asked.
"Well... He can't be picked up by the Lacrima Vision cameras." Chapati responded.
"Everyone... Do your best so we can get Lector back." Frosch said, watching the Lacrima screen.
"I just can't imagine it. It'll really turn out like this supposedly future person said? I find it hard to believe." Darton said as he was next to Hisui, who was sitting in a chair.
"It's like I told you. That's why it's an 'unbelievble outcome.'" Hisui said.
Sting was alone, sitting down and hidden from plain sight. "That's fighting dirty, my lady." He commented before chuckling to himself. "But whatever. Everyone can do what they want. I've come up with a scenario that'll give us a brilliant victory. Watch me, Lector."
Far away from the stadium...
Jellal, Meredy and Ultear were gathered together. "We made a grave error, while at the same time got locked into an inescapable destiny." Jellal stated.
"If everything that the Future Lucy said is true..." Meredy started to say.
"...this country will be destroyed tomorrow." Ultear finished. "Jellal..."
"But destroyed...?!" Meredy said.
"I guess it's still clinging to me... The sin of destruction..." Ultear claimed. "I know a lifetime isn't enough to make up for them."
"But how about if we at least evacuate everyone?" Meredy suggested.
"It'll cause a panic." Ultear said.
"But still..." Meredy began to protest.
"Wait." The two women turned towards Jellal. "There's no guarantee that it's all true." Jellal claimed.
"Huh?"
"What do you mean?" Meredy asked.
"Something about her story... Something doesn't add up. Something..." Jellal trailed off.
Natsu's group was walking through a darkened hallway. "It's just weird!" Natsu commented.
"What's weird?" Lucy asked.
"This Lucy is lighter than you!" Natsu replied as Lucy looked at him in disbelief.
"We don't need comments like that!" She informed.
"She probably lost weight from all her hardships." Happy claimed, making a good point.
"So the Future Lucy is gonna have success with a diet..."
"Enough!"
Erza and Massorao had a stare-down. "Looks like the time has come to settle up." Erza said.
"I'm serious about this." Massorao informed.
"That's what I'm hoping for!" Erza answered.
The two of them clashed their swords together. Massorao's strength sent Erza back flying a few feet as she then requipped into her Heaven's Wheel Armor.
"Heaven's Wheel!" Erza slashes at Massorao. "Pentagram Sword!"
Massorao flew into the air. "The Council!" He called out. "Spirit Ascensder!"
A blinding explosion of blazingly white light headed towards Erza as she requipped once more.
"Adamantine Armor!" She shouted.
"I figured you would use that! Tyrania!" A spear appeared in Massorao's hand. "Rakan Sendan!"
Multiple energy beams fired from the tip of the spear, piercing Erza's shield.
"Are you for real?!" Romeo exclaimed. "That armor even withstood Jupiter!"
"He's strong..." Makarov commented as both Erza and Massorao were falling down.
"Not enough yet?" Massorao taunted.
"Flight! Sonic Claw!" Erza changed into her Flight Armor.
"Nandaki! Blush!" Massoro shouted, absorbing the attack. "Wilt!"
Massorao fired Erza's attack right back at her. "He fired the attack right back at her!" Levy exclaimed.
"What?!" Lisanna questioned.
Erza crashed to the ground as Massorao landed on his feet. "He's stronger than Erza?! Impossible!" Makarov spoke in disbelief.
"I didn't predict this, either." Mavis stated.
Erza was struggling to get up as she was back in her normal attire. "He sure is some kind of strong! Black Sun's Massorao! Erza, who slew 100 monsters, is overwhelmed!" Chapati announced.
"I'm surprised. I didn't know there was anyone as strong as you here..." Erza confessed, struggling to catch her breath.
"You should consider yourself lucky." Massorao said, confusing Erza. "If you were going up against any of other Assembly of Ash members, you'd be defeated already. I'm average compared to those monsters. But I still shouldn't be underestimated."
"...What's your relationship with Kagura?" Erza questioned.
"Hmm... I suppose you can call her a friend. We've run into each other on jobs." Massorao responded. "Do you know a man called Jellal?"
Erza widened her eyes. "How do you-"
"Kagura told me all about him. Nothing good. He killed her older brother... apparently." Massorao said.
"Older brother?"
"Said his name was Simon."
Erza gasped. "Simon's... younger sister?!" She thinks to herself.
"In a way, I kind of understand her for wanting revenge. When I was 10, I lost my brothers. Though, all my hardships made me the man I am today." Massorao continued, raising his scabbard in the air.
"Massorao!" Helena called out.
"What does that idiot think he's doing?!" Zane exclaimed in irritation.
Blood soon splattered on the ground.
A/N: Another chapter is finished!
Thanks for reading!
~ Kaleb.