A/N: Hello, readers! Another chapter is here!

Enjoy!

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: EZEKIEL VERSUS ERZA

Hell Palace...

Everyone looked at Future Dusk, lost for words. "Wha...?!" Natsu exclaimed as Dusk just blinked in shock.

"Another Dusk?!" Zack mumbled.

"W-What does this mean?" Wendy asked.

"You're not... Gemini, right?" Yukino questioned.

"Or from Edolas or something like that?" Happy added.

"You already know about Eclipse, the time-travel portal, right?" Future Dusk asked.

"Eclipse? Don't tell me..." Bruno started to say.

"You used Eclipse..." Chii trailed off.

"...to come from the future." Future Dusk finished, taking a glance at Lucy, who flinched. "I didn't come alone. I came with Lucy. However, we ended up getting separated. When I finally found her, someone had assassinated her."

Dusk and Akame both examined in shock, along with Natsu and Lucy.

"This is... so sudden, I don't understand..." Dusk muttered.

"This country is about to..." Future Dusk didn't get to finish what he was saying as he collapsed sideways.

Akame rushed up to him. "Hey!"

"A-Are you okay?!"

"It looks like he fainted. He's still breathing." Akame informed.

"What's this about?!" Happy asked.

"I have no idea." Lily responded.

Zack turned to look at Dusk. "Dusk..."

"This is freaking me out. Why in the hell would I...?" Dusk wondered out loud.

Akame picked up Future Dusk. "Anyway, we can't leave him here. We'll take this Dusk with us, too."

"Let's leave the palace and shoot off a flare." Yukino suggested.

"Right. It'll let them know Lucy and Zack-san were successfully rescued." Wendy agreed.

"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 answered.

"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 spoke.

Minerva smirked. "Let Kagura go." Ezekiel ordered.

"I'm going to give you a battle worthy of a king." Minerva claimed.

Ezekiel got into a fighting stance. "I hate repeating myself. I'm going to ask you again. Free Kagura while you still live." He threatened.

"If you want her, come and get her." Minerva challenged.

Ezekiel had a dark look in his eyes before he charged forward. "Incredible speed!" Erza complimented.

Ezekiel aimed his sword at Minerva, who traded spots with Erza, shocking the two twins as Erza blocked Ezekiel's attack.

"W-What happened?!" Makarov questioned.

"I don't understand..." Riku mumbled.

"What happened?" Dawn asked.

"Maybe..." Atugia started to say.

"They switched places?" Ezekiel 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!" Ezekiel shouted.

Minerva only chuckled, disappearing as well.

"She really got the jump on us, eh?" Erza asked.

"Tch!" Ezekiel scoffed under his breath before turning around towards his twin. "Shut up. I'm going to cut you down. Then after, I'm going for the wench."

"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. "Ezekiel, 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.

"Damn. This is a pain in the ass. Was my calculation off?"

Both Laxus and Orga turned upon seeing Nero walk up to them. "I was only supposed to meet Laxus here." He sighed. "A fairy and a tiger. The previous king and the current king. Wiping you both out will be thrilling."

"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 replied.

"Everyone... Do you 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 stated as he was next to Hisui, who was sitting in a chair.

"It's like I told you. That's why it's an 'unbelievable outcome.'" Hisui said.

Sting was alone, sitting on a ledge. "That's fighting dirty, my lady." He commented before he chuckled 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, Ultear, and Meredy were gathered together. "We made a grave error, while at the same time got locked into an inescapable destiny." Jellal spoke.

"If everything that the Future Dusk 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 to Jellal. "There's no guarantee that it's all true." Jellal claimed.

"Huh?"

"What do you mean?" Meredy asked.

"Something about his story... Something doesn't add up. Something..." Jellal trailed off.

Natsu's group was walking through a darkened hallway. "It's just weird!" Akame commented.

"What's weird?" Dusk asked.

"This Dusk is lighter than you!" Akame replied, causing Dusk to look at him in irritation.

"Are you saying I gained weight?!"

"That's not what I said."

"It sure sounded like it!"

"He probably lost weight from all his hardships." Bruno commented.

"Hmm... I guess that makes sense." Akame claimed.

Erza and Ezekiel had a stare-down. "Looks like the time has come to settle up." Erza spoke.

"I'm serious about this." Ezekiel informed.

"That's what I'm hoping for!" Erza responded.

The two siblings clashed their swords together. Ezekiel's strength sent Erza back a few feet. Erza then requipped into her Heaven's Wheel Armor.

"Heaven's Wheel!" Erza slashes at Ezekiel. "Pentagram Sword!"

Ezekiel flew into the air as he was engulfed in a golden light. "Hephaestus Armor!" He shouted.

"Firestorm!" Ezekiel called out, attacking Erza with a blaze of fire as she requipped once more.

"Adamantine Armor!" She shouted. However, Ezekiel easily slashed at her shield while wearing his Ares Armor.

"Are you for real?!" Romeo exclaimed. "That armor even withstood Jupiter!"

"He's strong..." Makarov commented as both Erza and Ezekiel were falling down.

"Not enough yet, Nee-chan?" Ezekiel asked.

"Flight! Sonic Claw!" Erza changed into her Flight Armor. However, Ezekiel struck her using a lightning attack.

"She was struck instead!" Levy exclaimed.

"What?!" Lisanna questioned.

Erza crashed to the ground as Ezekiel landed on his feet in his usual attire. "He's stronger than Erza?! Impossible!" Makarov said.

"I didn't predict this, either." Mavis stated.

Erza was struggling to get up as she was back in her normal clothing. "He sure is some kind of strong! Twilight Phoenix's Ezekiel! Erza, who slew 100 monsters, is overwhelmed!" Chapati announced.

"I'm surprised. I didn't know you were this strong, Zeke..." Erza struggled to catch her breath. "Does it come from the grudge you have against Jellal?"

Ezekiel scoffs before he walked forward, kicking Erza in her stomach and sending her flying. "You know that man as well as I do. But this has nothing to do with Jellal." He replied. "I swear, you're so distracted by whatever dumbass feelings you have for him that you turn a blind eye from what he did to us."

"What are you-"

"Jellal... Did he ever go in depth of what he did to me?" Ezekiel asked his sister, causing Erza to widen her eyes. "From your reaction, I'm guessing no. Let me tell you then."

A younger Ezekiel collapsed to the ground. He was in pain and was sweating like crazy. He didn't know how much torture he could take. The guards looked down on him, snarling.

"I admit, this kid is tough."

"It's going to take a while for him to break, sir."

"Idiots."

Ezekiel looked up, seeing Jellal walking between the guards. He stepped in front of him before grabbing his chin harshly and leaning down. "You are one stubborn bastard, you know that? I can't wait to break you." Jellal claimed.

"Go to hell, Jellal." Ezekiel spat at him.

"Ooh, so vulgur." Jellal smirked before standing back up.

"Guards, continue on."

"Yes, sir!"

Erza's whole body was shaking by the time Ezekiel had finished telling her what had happened. "That torture went on for about another two years. Until I finally managed to escape without notice. I was on my own until I found Twilight Phoenix when I was fifteen. It was still a no-name guild back then, and barely had any members. It was just Akame and I. Along with Master Harumi. No one knew us aside from the citizens in Roseview." He concluded.

"I'm sorry..."

Ezekiel looked at her in confusion. "Huh? Why are you apologizing?"

"I should've taken you with me when I escaped... Your anger at me is justified." Erza replied.

"I'm not angry because you abandoned me, Erza." Ezekiel confessed. "I'm angry because you would rather defend the man who tormented me and murdered Simon than let him take the consequences of his own actions."

Ezekiel raised his blade above Erza.

"Ezekiel!" Atugia shouted.

"What is that idiot doing?!" Ajar exclaimed.

Blood soon splattered on the ground.

Somewhere else, Jellal was walking with Ultear and Meredy, when he suddenly turned around.

A/N: Another chapter is finished!

Thanks for reading!

~ Kaleb.