Lucy had been quiet for about two minutes now. She hadn't moved or done anything since Usami told her to take flight and eliminate the dragon slayers. But the seven slayers could tell that she was gathering magic power. Natsu had been staring at her the entire time, his tear stained face trying to find any sign of his blonde best friend and partner. But the golden dragon had done nothing but look ahead. None of them knew what was going on, and Natsu clenched his fists in frustration because of that.
But then a low growl came from her mouth, the hostility she had held seemed to have disappeared. When Natsu looked up, he was surprised to see Lucy suddenly looking down to meet his gaze. Her whited out eyes just staring into his soul. The six other dragon slayers were confused with the golden dragon's actions, not knowing if Lucy had regained control over herself or if the staring competition between her and Natsu was just cheap some hypnosis trick.
Natsu continued to stare at Lucy with hopeful eyes. His tears had long since dried, his eyes now just blood shot from all the tears that ran down his face. He could feel the energy leaving his body, the fire coursing through his veins slowly (and ironically) going out. Their little staring competition continued on for what seemed like hours, until finally, she closed her eyes slowly. Natsu had thought she come back, but it was the opposite. Instead, Lucy flew a few meters higher before facing her head towards the sky and opening her mouth.
"Finally!" The twins cried as their victory was ensured. "Eliminate those dragon slayers now, Lucy Heartfilia!"
A sphere of her golden flames being surrounded by a thin outer layer of celestial magic, the four fairies recognizing the spell just by the feeling of magic energy around them. The most terrified look on their faces as their eyes widened and their jaws dropped. Laxus may not have been present when Lucy first introduced the spell with her spar with Igneel and Metalicana, but he had heard enough about how crazy powerful it was from Natsu and Wendy (Gajeel didn't want to admit it, but he never denied it either).
Sting, Rogue and Cobra, on the other hand, were at a loss compared to the fairies. Yes, it was obvious that just by the golden dragon's simple action was reason enough to be scared, but they did not know just how deadly the spell was. They did not know what would happen when that spell would collide with their bodies. They wouldn't just die, their bodies would likely turn to ash in the process. Their entire existence would cease to even exist in the aftermath of that spell.
When the three remaining dragon slayers realized that the four fairies were practically paralyzed in their fear, Sting and Rogue went over to Gajeel as the white dragon slayer took him by the shoulders and shook him out of his pitiful state. "What the hell is she doing!? What's going to happen if she unleashes that attack!?"
"When the Eclipse gate broke... did you recall seeing a gigantic stream of fire and celestial magic colliding the same time as when Natsu and the dragons fell on the gate?" Wendy asked with a shaky voice.
Rogue nodded almost instantly when Wendy finished her question. Both he and Sting were out of the spell's way, but there was no missing it despite all the destruction in the way. It had been as tall as a three-story building and the magic energy that followed it was suffocating. When he, Sting and Cobra realized the reason behind her question, their fear mirrored that of the fairies. The colour draining from their face as they could feel their heart stop for what seemed like more than a second.
"You're not saying..."
Gajeel nodded in response to Rogue's incomplete question. "That's Bunny Girl's Sun Crater spell." He stated with narrowed eyes and gritted teeth. "We get caught up in that... we might as well become burnt toast."
"No way..." Cobra said in disbelief.
Laxus looked at everybody else, though his expression didn't show a lot, it was obvious that he felt defeated. He didn't want to be the person to go and tell Natsu that they were going to have no choice but to use Dragon's Redemption, but someone had to do it. And they were running out of time. The longer they waited, the bigger that sphere of magic energy would become and it would be all over. They now stood at their wits end. This was the final resort.
"Natsu-"
"Don't say it." The pink headed dragon slayer replied, cutting Laxus off.
"Natsu, we know you don't want to hear it." Wendy said, sympathizing with him as she also didn't want to face the reality at hand. "But if we die here, there's no stopping Lucy from going afte-"
"I said don't say it, Wendy... please... I already know." Natsu interrupted again, knowing what the bluenette was about to say. "But even if I wanted to, I don't have enough magic power to cast it. Even with all of our magic power combined, it won't be enough unless I use my life force to compensate."
The six dragon slayers gasped at the revelation. It was obvious they had underestimated the amount of magic needed to cast Dragon's Redemption. "But if you use your life force, you'll practically be at death's door, Natsu!" Laxus cried.
The seven slayers all slumped down in utter defeat and surrender. That was it then. The battle was over and the victors were decided. Natsu was right. They all were low on magic power since none of their attacks seemed to be effective on Lucy, the same results when all seven tried to slay the Eclipse dragons. They were just not strong enough yet. And they were never going to have the chance to become stronger. All was now lost. Lucy was lost forever. Natsu failed his future self.
Do you really believe that?
But at that moment, all time seemed to have frozen. Actually, time had definitely frozen. The six slayers and Lucy remained still while Natsu's eyes looking around in haste to figure out who said those words. But he saw no one. It was quiet and the air was still. Though he was tired, he kept his guard up and he scanned his surroundings again. Sniffing the air for any other scents other than the dragon slayers and Lucy. But he smelled nothing. That was... until a tiny light appeared and flew around his and the others' bodies.
"What?" He asked as the light went up to him and floated in front of his face.
Do you really believe that you have lost?
It all seemed so strange. It's not like Natsu heard words being spoke from the light, but rather he just knew what it was going to say to his questions and answers. "What else am I supposed to believe?"
The Natsu Dragneel I know never believed in failure. If something seemed impossible, he would go and burn everything in his way until it was made possible.
"But what can I do!? If I could somehow get enough magic power to cast Dragon's Redemption, Luce would end up dying! But if I don't cast it, we'll be the ones dying and letting the bad guys win!"
You believe that she will die? Do you believe that she, too, has also given up?
Natsu didn't reply. "...I don't know what to think."
She heard your voice. She heard you believe in her. And now she is doing her best, using all the power she has left, to win this fight. She hasn't given up yet... and you shouldn't either.
"Then what should I do!? How can I stop her from blowing me and everyone else up!?"
...You already know the answer to that question.
Natsu's eyes widened, accepting the only option he had left in order to stop his best friend from destroying any of her friends. "But... I still don't have enough magic power."
Leave that to me! That's what I'm here for after all!
The pink headed dragon slayer watched as time seemed to resume again, the light leaving briefly to fly around the six other slayers' bodies. Wendy, Gajeel and Sting becoming very startled while Laxus, Rogue and Cobra's eyes just followed the light in a very curious manner. All of their eyes widening when they noticed that six colours of magic energy followed behind it. When the light went back to face Natsu, it danced around him as the magic power was absorbed into his body.
"But-"
Before Natsu could say anything more about the amount of magic power he had, the light passed through his chest. The pink headed slayer gasping as he could feel all his strength return while the others looked at him in awe. Natsu soon finding himself being surrounded by Lucy's golden flames. His magic overflowing with power. Once that was done, the light floated in front of Natsu's face yet again to say one last thing before it vanished to wherever it came from.
There you go! That should be enough! I borrowed just enough magic power from your friends and placed it within your body. Consider the extra magic energy a gift!
"What, or who, are you?" Wendy asked to which the light just hummed in response.
I am... the essence of what was. Now... save her.
The light then flew away in the sky before any more questions could be asked. The dragon slayers looking at one another before turning to Natsu, the golden flames surrounding his body only growing larger as tightened his flaming fist. He wasn't about to waste this opportunity. For some reason, he trusted in what the light said. They said that Lucy was really fighting within herself, so he should do his part as per her wishes in the end. He believed that even after all this, Lucy would come home.
The fire dragon slayer took one deep breath before exhaling, calming his mind as he got into his stance and faced his palms upwards and next to his waist, his fire growing from his hands. The stream of flames that came from his hands and the flames that rose from his head met up at one centre point above him, gathering together as it began to form into a dragon of golden flames at a rapid rate. An outline of pure magic energy surrounding Natsu's flame dragon.
Usami and Ushin watched from above Domus Flau, their eyes narrowed in anger as they cursed under their breath. They couldn't believe that Natsu was actually performing the spell he so refused. The seven other mages beneath them, one by one finally freeing themselves of the large, condensed and thick thorn forest, seeing what was going on when they climbed to the opposite of side of the coliseum from where the twins stood. Their astonishment very evident on their faces.
Erza, Gray and Mira were by far the most shocked out of the seven, for obvious reasons. On one side, they could see Lucy creating a sphere of fire and celestial magic as large as herself and on the other side, they could see Natsu's dragon make of flames growing to be the same size as Lucy. When Igneel had described what Dragon's Redemption looked like, no one would've thought the visual would be so beautiful yet so dangerous. The magic power radiating all the way past the coliseum.
But before the mages could continue to stare in awe, the light that had been with Natsu just a few moments ago had appeared and circled each one of them. Jura, Lyon, Yukino and Kagura's eyes followed the light as it circled them while Erza, Gray and Mira just stared at it curiously. Usami and Ushin were quite far so they couldn't even see the light even if they wanted to. Exactly how the light wanted it to be. It backed away so that it floated in the centre of the mages. Its glow shining brighter.
"What-"
Just relax. I'm getting you out of here.
"Excuse me?" Kagura asked after the light cut Mira off, none even questioning how the light was speaking to them.
If you remain here, you will be caught in the crossfire! So relax and keep your heads on your shoulders!
Without even giving a chance to protest, the light suddenly began circling around the seven mages. A circle being formed without fast the light was moving and a translucent barrier of stars began to form around the mages from the golden circle. Everyone began holding on to one another and closed their eyes, their bodies tense as in only a matter of seconds, they vanished from the coliseum. Usami and Ushin seeing them disappear at the last minute, misunderstanding them for running away.
When the mages opened their eyes after the light died down, they found themselves in the destroyed city just a few metres away from the dragon slayers who were just watching Natsu. Once the light had stopped circling around them, it didn't say a word but nudged towards the slayers. Erza was the first to understand what it meant and nodded, gesturing the others to follow her so that they can join the others. Everyone running right behind her.
The light stayed still for a second before heading to who knows where. I've done my part. The rest is up to you... Mama. Papa.
Natsu continued to make the flaming dragon grow, its wings spreading out as small embers fell from its body. Once it was at its maximum size, the dragon slayer looked at the golden dragon before him, the sphere above its head done growing as well. It was a long shot, but if Natsu succeeded in defeating Lucy, the sphere would disappear and everyone would be spared. Then Lucy would come back and defeat Usami and Ushin with no problem. He believed that would be how it turned out.
He moved his feet so that his grip on the dirt was firm and widened his stance. Taking another deep breath, Natsu tightened his clenched fists as his eyes narrowed with determination. This was his final shot. That mysterious light gave him his and everyone else's final chance to bring Lucy home. And he was not about to waste it. Future Natsu and Future Lucy disappeared because the future had been altered. So he was just going to have to alter it again.
"Dragon Emperor's Secret Arts..." Natsu chanted in a low voice, bumping his fists together before pulling them back behind him. Lucy's head turning away from the large sphere of fire and light to roar at him. "...DRAGON'S REDEMPTION!"
The pink headed dragon slayer lifted his arms forward, slashing down as the flaming dragon roared and flew straight towards Lucy without giving her a chance to dodge or run. The golden dragon cried and roared out in pain as the flaming dragon tackled straight through her torso, taking all the golden flames that surrounded Natsu's body with it and a grand explosion of flames being produced from the collision. Usami and Ushin yelling in defeat from Domus Flau.
'I knew I could believe in you... Thank you, Natsu.'
While everyone else took cover from the shooting flames, Natsu stood in place as he couldn't believe the voice he heard. He desperately looked around, but when he tried to walk, he collapsed in exhaustion from using too much magic energy. He would've been hit by one the falling fireballs if it wasn't for Erza and Gray grabbing him quickly and then ducking for cover quickly. It seemed like the voice Natsu had heard wasn't heard by anyone else but that didn't stop them from looking at the sphere that Lucy created.
Natsu was able to get up after Gray and Erza got him behind some cover and stared as Lucy's dragon body began to fall backwards, a glow over taking her as she shrunk into her human form (no one seeing it because of all the fireballs). Her body falling along side the falling fireballs. But Lucy's Sun Crater sphere did not disperse. In fact, it just stayed in place above the ground. When Usami and Ushin saw that, they believed they had a chance and began to cheer. Their words reaching the ears of the dragon slayers.
"Yes! We still have a chance! If that sphere drops on them, those pesky flies are done for!"
Everyone stared at the sphere with terrified eyes, thinking that none of them were going to survive. But soon they noticed that the sphere began to shrink. Lucy's celestial fire shrinking down until it was just barely visible from where any of them stood. He had expected the twins to cry in fury, but it seemed like they hadn't noticed anything since they continued to cheer like they had officially won. But right before the sphere completely vanished, lightning began to surround it and a faint voice could be heard by the slayers.
"Celestial Fire Dragon Empress'... Lightning Meteor Cannon..."
All seven dragon slayers gasped at Lucy's faint voice, watching as a beam of celestial fire and lightning was produced from the now minimized sphere - heading straight for the twins. Once the fireballs faded away, the mages got out from behind their cover (Gray supporting Natsu) and watched as the spell went straight for the coliseum. The dragon slayers, for one moment, could hear the twins celebrating without a care and then the next second, they could hear screams and electricity.
The mages all looked at one another, wondering what just happened, but Cobra just waved them off and just clarified that he had heard the twins fall which made everyone relieved that the battled was over. That was when Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy and Laxus began looking around, sniffing the air. The others watching them with concerned looks. Rogue then coughed, gathering the attention of the group of seven that had joined them and waved off the four dragon slayers' behaviour.
"Before that final attack, we all heard the Athena's voice very faintly cast the spell. Considering that the spell went straight for the enemy, it is safe to assume that she is free of mind control." He explained calmly. "We shall bring the enemy into custody, you fairies look for her and heal her before it's too late."
Erza, Mira and Gray nodded before following their four dragon slayers to where Lucy's scent took them, Natsu moving away from Gray's assistance to run straight to Lucy. Sting, Rogue, Yukino (she left Lucy's keys in Erza's hands), Jura, Lyon and Kagura going off to Domus Flau in a rush before Usami and Ushin regain consciousness. Cobra leaving them for another direction, saying that he finished his deal with Lahar and Doranbolt and that it was time for him to return to his cell like he promised.
The fairies all followed after Natsu, who was somehow running at rapid speed a few metres ahead despite being low on energy. Gajeel, Wendy and Laxus followed close behind him, their pace trying to match Natsu's since it was obvious that all of them had found Lucy's scent. As Natsu got closer to where Lucy's scent was coming from, he and the others could hear a loud thud and crumbling rubble fall not too far from them. Knowing the likely cause of the sound, he gnashed his teeth and ran faster.
When he turned a corner, his steps halted while his caught his breath. The others soon catching up to Natsu panting, staring in the same direction he was. Lucy laid on the ground bruised and unmoving in her human form, her heartbeat barely heard by the dragon slayers. Mira, Erza, Gray and Wendy were the first to react, the bluenette getting to the blonde first and using her what little magic power she had left straight away. Gray and Erza each taking one of Lucy's hands in their own while Mira placed Lucy's head on her lap.
Laxus and Gajeel slowly walked over to them after calming their thoughts, Lucy's completely bruised and injured body were from all of their attacks. She was barely breathing and she showed no signs of regaining consciousness. Wendy knew Lucy was slipping away, but she couldn't bring herself to stop trying. Her tears began to fall from her face as the others realized that they were losing their blonde friend. Their expressions of denial, regret and anger showing on their face.
But, just as Natsu was about to fall on his knees in disbelief, he felt a presence approaching and gasped when the little ball of light from earlier appeared from behind him. It said nothing at first, going down to Natsu's hand before somehow having a grip on his wrist and pulling him to join the others. And when the rest of the mages noticed the light, Wendy had used up what was left of her magic reserves and stopped herself from continuing to heal Lucy's wounds in hopes that she would wake up.
...She's not dead and she's not dying either.
All seven fairies looked up at the light with hope, finding its words hard to believe. "H-How... How do you know that's the case?" Mira asked as she placed a hand on Lucy's forehead.
She's only weak right now... she's low on magic energy and her mind and body are exhausted. Replenishing her magic power and getting enough rest will allow her to recover.
"But that spell Salamander cast on her was a secret art Bunny Girl created to slay dragons." Gajeel retorted, remembering what the dragons told them about Dragon's Redemption. "The dragons told us that it's purpose was if Bunny Girl had no choice but to kill a dragon in a tough situation."
Dragon's Redemption wasn't made to just slay a dragon. It's real power is to save a dragon.
"To... save a dragon?" Wendy asked. "How do you know that for sure? With a spell as strong as that, it could easily kill anyone!"
The light said nothing in response as it only flew closer to Lucy's body, hovering above the blonde's chest before moving next to Gray. A golden hand began to form from the light, a translucent body materializing soon after as it knelt next to the raven haired mage. A gasp of surprise leaving the fairies' lips as Nashi looked at them with an innocent smile on her face, her hand on Lucy's shoulder while her peach hair floated in the air like she was either in a different space or wind was blowing through her hair.
I know because that's what she told me when she taught it to me. Yes, it has the power to kill a dragon if the one who casts it believes that's the only way for the dragon to be saved. But if the user wants to save a dragon so it'll live another day, then the dragon will live.
"N-Nashi!?" Natsu cried, tears forming on his face. "B-But we saw you-"
Nashi only shook her head, cutting Natsu off. I'm not actually the Nashi you know... I'm more of the spiritual residue of Nashi's memory within Mama's mind. She sent me out here to help you.
"She did?" Erza asked.
Nashi nodded as she lifted her hand from Lucy's shoulder and placing both of her hands on the blonde's stomach. And now that my job is done, I can go back inside Mama! Papa believed that Mama will come home when he casted the spell, so she will definitely come home! After all, a Fairy Tail mage doesn't just end an adventure... they begin a new one!
A golden glow surrounded both Nashi's translucent body and Lucy, the former fading away in a golden light just like when she had died. The smile she held, yet again, never leaving her face as she disappeared. Natsu immediately went to kneel next to Erza, everyone staring at Lucy with desperate eyes while waiting for her to show any sign of waking up. Once the glow faded away, Lucy's body twitched and her eyes slowly opened tiredly. The dragon slayers hearing her heartbeat loud and clear again.
"Lucy!" All seven of them cried in relief as Lucy looked at each one of them with sleepy eyes, taking in her surroundings.
She didn't say anything at first, but when Lucy locked eyes with Natsu, she slowly reached out her right hand to him and the pink headed dragon slayer immediately took her hand in his. "Nat... su... is it... over...?" She asked slowly and weakly.
Natsu nodded and tightened his grip on her hand slightly, feeling the warmth from her skin. "Yeah Luce... it's finally over." He replied. "We won."
The blonde empress nodded as she began to get up, groaning as she did so. Wendy and Mira tried to stop her from getting up but the Lucy just brushed them off, sitting up as she turned to face Natsu. "And Nashi... she's..."
The fire dragon slayer didn't allow his best friend to continue that sentence, nodding again as he realized that Lucy needed confirmation on what she had seen before her transformation. "Don't worry, Luce." He reassured her as she looked at him with teary eyes, the others bowing their heads when recalling the girl's death. "In the end, she thanked you for being her mother in replace of our future selves."
"I... I see..." Lucy said as her tears began to fall down her face as she now had the time to properly mourn for the loss of her beloved daughter. Her wails resounding throughout the destroyed city while Mira just patted her back. "Even... Even if I knew she was from the future! Even so! I... I never got the chance... to say goodbye...! Nashi!"
The blonde girl continued to cry out for her deceased daughter, soon tackling Natsu in a hug since he was still holding onto her hand. The dragon slayer welcoming her in his embrace without a moment's hesitation. Holding her close, Natsu caressed the back of her head as she buried her face in his chest. Her tears soaking his damaged clothes and the smell of salt enveloping the air. Everyone else, though they felt sorry for her, they knew that Lucy would be okay with Natsu by her side.
Erza, Gray, Wendy and Mira sighed in relief, leaning back on their hands while Laxus and Gajeel just crossed their arms and smirked. One of their most craziest battles had come to an end. They had enough time to mourn thanks to the time difference in the Dragon Realm, now it was Lucy's turn. Once she got better, with everyone else from Fairy Tail's help, she would go back to how she always is. The next thing to worry about was bringing everyone in the Dragon Realm back and rebuilding Crocus.
"Don't worry Luce... you'll be okay... I promise."