Chapter 163

Storming the Infinity Castle

Back at the Infinity Castle, Midnight stood at the main controls, a giant amber-colored sphere, making sure that the Infinity Clock was functioning properly. Brain then appeared just behind him.

"Father, you have returned," said Midnight as he looked him from head to toe. "And considering that you're looking rather battered, I take it that things aren't going very well?"

"I'm afraid so, Midnight," said Brain. "It would seem that our Legion Platoon dogs that we've held under a tight leash now have a reason to turn on their masters, no thanks to Fairy Tail."

"I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, Father, but we've also lost Racer," said Midnight. "It would seem that he was defeated by Fairy Tail as well. However, it's not all that bad, for I have some good news. We've managed to capture him per your instruction."

This made Brain look up in surprise before smirking with jubilance. "Is that a fact?"

"Yes. I've had Imitatia send him to Satoshi," said Midnight. "As we speak, Satoshi is proceeding with the operation and should be finished in a manner of moments."

"Very good," said Brain. "We may have lost Racer, but now, we've obtained our most powerful weapon to destroy Fairy Tail. And it couldn't have come at a better time. We may have the Infinity Clock in our possession, but our control over it is still minimal at best. We may have gained control of the Infinity Castle, but the magic power is too great for us to control."

"However, thanks to our research, we finally have the knowledge to controlling that magic power," said Midnight. "However, it will take a bit of time to do, and knowing those fools in Fairy Tail; they'll most likely make their way here to stop us. The others will have to stall for time until I can get complete control of it."

"I'd like to see them try," chuckled Brain. "After all, we do have a score to settle with them. Speaking of which, are the other members prepared for battle?"

"Yes. Cobra, Angel, and Hoteye are standing by to buy us some time," said Midnight. "And Imitatia will be joining us soon after."

"And what about you, Midnight?" asked Brain. "I take it you're participating as well?"

"I would have thought the answer was obvious, Father," said Midnight. "Besides, I've sworn that if I ever managed to get out of my prison, I would take my revenge against Fairy Tail."

"And what about the boy?" continued Brain. "I would have thought that you would seize the chance to kill him once he was captured.

"That is true, but this is a lot more amusing and cathartic for me," said Midnight. "Besides, I've got seven years' worth of pent-up aggression inside of me. I think it's time I take it out on Fairy Tail."

Back in the Archbishop's room, the man in question was placed in his bed, fast asleep. Byro then spoke to everyone.

"Let me be the first to say that I deeply apologize for everything that has happened. As head of the Legion Platoon, I believed that we could handle the situation ourselves, only to be forced as the Oración Seis' tools. I take full responsibility for the pain and suffering caused by our actions."

"There's no reason to apologize," said Erza. "You had no choice. The important thing is that the Archbishop is safe. But now there's still the matter of dealing with the Infinity Clock and finding Willy."

Natsu and Lucy then suddenly remembered.

"Hey, wait! That reminds me!" cried Natsu. "You guys, we just saw Willy a while ago!"

"No, we haven't," said Gray. "There was nothing but soldiers when we came in, although most of them have already been knocked out."

"Then there's only one place Willy could be," said Lisanna. "He's probably at the Infinity Castle along with the other members of the Oración Seis."

"We have to get up there and stop him from fighting them on his own!" Lucy said. "He's obsessed with his own past, that he feels like he needs to do things on his own! Not to mention that he still owes me for pushing me into the canal!"

"Um, Lucy? I doubt the canal thing is hardly an issue," said Carla flatly.

"Talk about petty," Happy muttered.

"That aside, if you need to find a way to get into the Infinity Castle, then allow Coco to show you the way," said Byro. "As warriors sworn to Zentopia, it is our duty to save this world no matter the cost. After all, We owe you for helping us in our time of need."

"But what about you, Lord Byro?" asked Coco. "Aren't you coming? Not to mention the other members of the Legion Platoon most likely aren't aware of the situation."

"I am needed here, Coco," said Byro. "Someone has to stand guard over the Archbishop in case he is targeted again. I failed in my duty once; I won't fail him again. In the meantime, make sure you guide them, Coco."

"You got it, Lord Byro!" acknowledged Coco in a salute. "I won't let you down!"

"I"ll stay here, too," said Gildarts. "That way, there'll be a strong team on the ground."

"Follow me, everyone!" said Coco. "If I remember correctly, the pyramid with the big eye in the middle of the courtyard outside can take us up to the Infinity Castle! But it's going to take a while to get there!"

"Well, we'd better get going then! Lead the way, Coco!" said Mira. "We're right behind you!"

"Warren, you stay behind as a liaison!" ordered Erza. "Gray, Elfman, Gajeel, Mira, and Lisanna, you guys follow me!"

"Got it!" the five said.

The party then stormed out of the room, leaving Wendy, Laki, Warren, Gildarts, and the Exceed Squad alone with the Archbishop.

"Just hang on, Willy!" Natsu cried out. "We're comin' for you! Don't you die on us!"

WILLY'S POV

I woke up in pain and disoriented and finding myself staring at the floor.

"What...? Where am I? What happened?" I mumbled out. "What's going on?"

As I tried to move around, I found that I couldn't move my body at all, which immediately woke me up. My arms and legs were spread out wide, having clamps on my ankles, wrists, neck, and waist. I could feel the cold, metal surface on my back. Immediately, my heart began to pound in my chest, feeling a slight twinge of fear.

"So, you're finally awake, my subject. Welcome back to the land of the living."

I shot my head up and saw Silver Beard standing before me with that same cocky and evil grin as his eyes bore into me through those glasses. As soon as I saw him, I struggled to get free, wanting nothing more than to tear him apart. Then, I suddenly remembered fighting the soldiers on Zentopia, taking down Angel, Cobra, and Imitatia, and being knocked out by Midnight.

"Greetings, my subject. It is nice to see you again," Silver Beard spoke, bowing. "I trust that you're comfortable?"

"Hardly," I spat. "Mind telling me where I am?"

"You're in a room inside of the Infinity Clock," said Silver Beard. "After you were knocked out, Midnight had Imitatia bring you here. I apologize for your accommodations, but I couldn't risk letting you run rampant, you see."

I growled in anger, struggling against my bindings to get free as Silver Beard walked around me.

"You really caught me by surprise, you know. I never expected you of all people to be the one that roughed up Amina so badly," said Silver Beard. "And to add the fact that you were the mysterious White Falcon that's been searching so relentlessly for me. I'm quite flattered that you've taken an interest in me. It's making me wonder if you're obsessed with me. That kind of attraction will most likely get your little girlfriend jealous, don't you think?"

"The only thing I'm obsessed with is making you pay for what you've done!" I roared as I struggled. "Once I get out of this, you're going to get it, you bastard! I swear!"

Silver Beard chuckled. "The metal that's holding you is made of the same material Zentopia uses for their cells, so it's no use struggling. Although, it's adorable how feral you're acting," he said. "You're like a caged mutt, acting wild and baring its fangs at its master. Perhaps it's time for the mutt to be domesticated. After all, this is the perfect opportunity to test my greatest work."

He went over to a table, and in his hands, he held up a syringe filled with a strange substance. Unlike before, this substance was green and seemed to be glowing like something radioactive. The mere sight of it made my blood instinctively grow cold and my skin to break out into goosebumps.

"Allow me to present to you, my greatest creation," presented Silver Beard. "After many trials and errors, and after going through my subjects, I have perfected and created an ooze so powerful that all the others are mere puddles compared to this. Although, I should thank the people who so graciously offered up their lives to be my subjects, all for the sake of their greed. It took many years, but it was all worth it."

"Is that's how Amina, along with the Caeli Twins, got their magic the way they did?" I asked, realizing. "So they could further along with your sick experiments?!"

"Indeed. Because of them, I learned what I needed to know about the ooze and its properties to complete this little project of mine," cackled Silver Beard. "When I first started, most of the other subjects I experimented on couldn't take it, going mad and dying in the process. That was when I realized that only certain individuals with a sound mind, body, and magic could use the ooze. Therefore, to test that theory, I've tested the ooze on thousands of different wizards and even given some to those who wanted a taste of power. So far, only a few people were able to withstand the ooze, but there was only one subject, in particular, that was able to use the ooze to its fullest potential."

"And who would that be?" I asked. "Amina, I take it?"

"Please, while Amina has been using the ooze well, that greedy little brat is like a leech, constantly wanting more," scoffed Silver Beard. "The person in question is you, my dear boy."

My eyes widened in surprise.

"When I first heard about you a while back, I was working at the Bureau of Magical Development under Brain after those hypocritical biologists kicked me out," went on Silver Beard. "Apparently, Brain had taken quite a shine with you because of witnessing you battle a demon that was sealed away and lived to tell the tale. No ordinary human would be able to accomplish such a feat at your age, and the fact that you had an unstable yet incredible magic power within you, I just had to take advantage. So, after stabilizing your body and magic, I took a chance, and I wasn't disappointed. Your tolerance to the ooze was astounding, and I was getting closer to achieving my goal, but then Brain decided to take away everything that I worked so hard for."

Silver Beard scowled in anger as he began ranting to the ceiling.

"That hypocrite of a bastard! After everything I did, that bastard shamelessly took my research, using it for his own purpose? Just what I would expect from someone from a Dark Guild," he spat. "But even after he took you away, I never stopped my research. I kept on working until I heard about you ending up with Fairy Tail. That was when I decided to continue my experiment by keeping my eye on you."

"So, you were stalking me!" I roared, outraged. "You're the one that sent me that letter back then and have been following me this whole time!"

"Guilty as charged," said Silver Beard. "Once I found out you joined those bunch of brats after beating the Seis, I knew that you wouldn't be able to come back so easily. So, while I did my research, I bid my time, waiting for the perfect chance to have you all to myself. But then, my chance had come when Brain and the rest of the Seis broke out of prison and soon started working with him, providing him with my ooze to aid him on his hunt for the Infinity Clock, all for the sake of my little project. Speaking of which, I do believe it's time for me to put my finished product to the test, and I have the perfect subject to test it on."

Silver Beard turned around to face me and started walking over, his syringe at the ready. Knowing what he's about to do, my heart started pounding more than ever as memories of the past flashed into my mind.

"So, is this what you intend to do with me?" I asked, scowling. "To keep me here as your lab rat to fulfill your own sick desires until you turn me into a mindless puppet?"

"Well, you're mostly correct, my dear subject," Silver Beard cackled. "I need someone to try out this new ooze I've developed. Once this is administered, the ooze that was in your body previously will naturally adapt, becoming the new ooze, turning you into the ultimate super-soldier. Although, I should warn you that you'll feel a slight pinch, but you already knew that, didn't you?"

"So, that's your plan? To make me a puppet for you and Brain again? Not gonna happen!" I barked. "You seem to forget that the back with the Nirvana incident, I broke free from the spell! It's not going to work on me a second time!"

Silver Beard then cackled loudly. "Is that what you think? Then you're more naive than I thought. While it's true that most Charm Magic is rendered ineffective when the target becomes aware of it, the type that was used on you works a little bit differently, thanks to my brilliance. Allow me to demonstrate." With a snap of his finger, a green magic circle shone forth above his hand. "Now, tell me that you are my subject."

And as if something took hold of me, I parroted those words back. "I am your subject."

Coming to my senses immediately, my eyes widened with horror. "What the hell did you just do to me?!" I demanded.

"You haven't figured it out yet? The spell that I placed on you is still active inside your mind," said Silver Beard. "While it's true that you were freed when your "friends" defeated the Oración Seis, but the magic turned off when they were all incapacitated. A better way to put it is that they pulled the plug inside your mind, and I simply reconnected it with my own magic. It doesn't matter how strong you are, or how much willpower you have; as long as that spell resides in your mind, you will never escape me. You belong to me and me alone."

Every single word that came out of his mouth felt like ice, making me shiver from the sound of it. I didn't know what else to say, nor could I. There was nothing I could do to get myself out of this situation. All I could do was stare at my abuser and controller, trembling like a leaf.

Silver Beard flashed a toothy smile as he got close to my face as he let out a throaty chuckle. "Yes, that's the look I wanted to see," he purred. "That look on your face warping into dying hope and despair as you submit. It really gives me the shivers. Out of all the others that came before, you're the one who truly makes the best faces. I can see why that She-Devil wench yearns for you so. But unfortunately for her, you belong to me, and me alone because you're my darling subject."

He then raised the syringe and then plunged into my stomach, pushing the trigger and emptying its contents into my bloodstream.

NO POV

Back in the church, Wendy was using her healing magic to heal the Archbishop, while the others watched on with worry.

"This is taking longer than I thought," said Laki. "Was the Archbishop under the same spell as Cana was?"

"Most likely," said Carla.

"So, how's it coming, Wendy?" Happy asked worriedly. "Any luck trying to heal him?"

Wendy frowned as she stopped casting her spell. "My healing magic isn't working," she said with a worried frown.

Laki felt the Archbishop's head, testing his temperature. "His fever's still pretty high," she said. "Why isn't he getting better?"

Wendy felt the Archbishop's forehead, using her healing magic once again, and soon figured out the problem. "The spell was cast on the Archbishop's brain for far too long," she explained. "I can sense that there are fragments still stuck inside of it."

"So, unless you can safely remove the fragments from his mind, he may not live for much longer," said Carla quietly.

"Isn't there anything you can do to save him?" asked Gildarts.

Wendy was silent for a brief moment before giving a look filled with determination. "If I can use my magic delicately enough to prevent brain damage, I just might be able to."

"If that's our only option, then go for it," said Warren. "If he manages to pull through, then maybe he can tell us more about the Infinity Clock."

"Please, young one. Do what you can to save him," pleaded Byro. "I'm sure that you have the power to do so."

"Yeah. You can do this, Wendy," encouraged Laki.

Wendy gently placed her hand on top of the Archbishop's forehead and set to work, using her healing magic once again. This time, she made sure not to rush it and be very gentle. The process took a lot of her magic power, making her feel exhausted, but she kept going, determined to save the Archbishop.

Then, everyone noticed the Archbishop's skin became a lot less pale and more healthy than before.

"Check it out. It's working," pointed out Pantherlily. "The Archbishop doesn't look nearly as sick as before."

"Yeah, but Wendy's looking exhausted," said Happy.

"It's only natural," said Carla. "She's never had to cast her Healing Magic for this long before."

"I feel helpless, being unable to help," said Byro. "After everything I've done to try and protect His Eminence, all I can do is stand and watch."

"Don't worry. I feel the same way you do," said Gildarts. "But all we can do is wait and have faith in Wendy. She won't let us down."

A good few minutes had passed, each passing one feeling like an eternity, until finally, Wendy stopped using her Healing Magic, very tired.

"Wendy, I know you want to save him, but you're using up too much magic power," warned Happy. "Maybe you should take a breather and try again later."

Wendy smiled with pride as she wiped her brow. "There's no need to," she said. "I'm finished now. I think he'll be just fine."

Everyone was surprised, especially Carla.

"You're already finished?" the white Exceed gasped. "When did you become so proficient with your healing magic?"

"Well, I have gained some practice," said Wendy. "And I had a bit of trouble at first, but once I got the hang of it, the rest came easily. In any case, the Archbishop's out of the woods and is free from that spell."

Laki felt his temperature again, and her face lit up. "She's right! His fever's come down!"

"Way to go, kid!" Gildarts smiled proudly. "Never doubted you for a second."

"You have my thanks, young one," Byro spoke with a bow. "I, and all of Zentopia, thank you for saving His Eminence."

"Now, all we have to do is focusing on getting rid of the Infinity Clock," said Happy. "If only getting rid of the clock was as easy as removing a spell."

At that moment, Happy had a thought, remembering back at the caves when the Oración Seis took the Infinity Clock. Then, that thought became an idea.

"Wait, that's it!" Happy gasped. "I think I figured out how to stop the Infinity Clock! The answer's been right in front of us!"

Everyone looked at the blue Exceed in surprise.

"Well, what is that answer?" wondered Carla.

"We have to do defeat the Oración Seis!" said Happy. "Every single one of them!"

"You gotta be kidding me!" said Warren. "All of them?!"

"But how would that fix things?" wondered Laki. "I don't follow you."

"Remember back when the Infinity Clock was assembled? The first thing the Oración Seis did was brand it with their seal," explained Happy. "Those seals signify that the clock belongs to them, as Brain said before, which was why they were able to take control of the clock. So I think if we're able to beat them and remove the seals, then maybe we'll be able to take away their ownership of the clock, too!"

"And if they can't control it, then maybe Real Nightmare will stop as well!" realized Carla. "Way to think with your head, Happy!"

"I'll let Natsu and the others know about Happy's theory with my telepathy!" said Warren.

"And I'm gonna go try and find Willy, too!" said Happy. "Most likely, he's up in the Infinity Castle somewhere, and he might need help!"

"I'll go with you," said Pantherlily. "At least, Willy will have some backup when we find him."

"The rest of us will stay here with the Archbishop for now," said Carla. "But we'll join you later. Be careful, everyone!"

Natsu and his party were now in the bowels of the Infinity Castle, heading straight for its epicenter. As they ran, they heard a voice mumbling inside of their heads.

"Does anyone else hear that?" panted Elfman.

"It's gotta be Warren using his telepathy!" said Natsu. "But I can't make it out!"

"I can. He says that to stop the Infinity Clock, we have to beat the Oración Seis!" said Erza.

"Then they can't control it anymore!" said Coco.

"And Willy's somewhere inside of this place!" said Mira. "So we'll be able to find and rescue him, too!"

"Sound like a plan to me! Plain and simple just the way I like it!" Gajeel smirked. "If I don't start bashing some heads, my iron's gonna end up rusting before long!"

"You said it, Gajeel!" agreed Elfman. "Besides, we owe those chumps a manly beating after what they put Willy through! Let's show them how manly we are!"

"Yeah! I'm ready for a brawl, too!" agreed Lisanna. "We'll stop the Infinity Clock, save Willy, and make Oración Seis pay for what they've done!"

"Hell yeah! I'm all fired up!" Natsu roared.

Then they all heard a voice. "Still as annoying as ever I see. Do you ever stop yelling?"

Everyone skidded to a halt and saw someone standing on top of an arch on the ceiling. A man with tanned skin with a scar over his left eye, everyone recognized upon seeing him.

"Cobra!" scowled Erza.

"All of your anxiety, your despair, the desperation in your voices," Cobra spoke with a grin. "I can hear it. All of it."

"How's about I char your ears off, you bastard?!" Natsu challenged. "I beat you before, and I can do it again!"

"You only won out of sheer luck, Salamander, and you know it," countered Cobra. "Besides, my business lies not with you." He looked across to Erza. "Titania, it's time you and I have a little talk."

Cobra then swung his arm, releasing a barrage of blades made of his Poison Magic at Erza, forcing her to jump out of the way on another arch to avoid them.

Erza smirked with confidence. "You heard the man. You guys go ahead," she said. "I've got this one."

"But we can help you!" protested Natsu.

"No, he only wants me," said Erza firmly. "Besides, there are other members that need to be defeated anyway. Go find them and stop the Infinity Clock, and if you see Willy, make sure he's safe."

"She's right," said Gray. "We should get going. She's got this."

Natsu conceded. "Oh, all right, then," he growled. "But you better not lose, Erza! If you do, I'll kick your butt, you hear me?!"

"Be careful, Erza," warned Mira. "Make sure you win this! We'll meet up with you later!"

The group then ran on ahead, leaving Erza and Cobra behind. They soon came to a large open area filled with all sorts of strange vegetation and ruins all around them.

"What is this place?" wondered Elfman. "There are so many plants in here!"

"I think it's some kind of greenhouse," said Lisanna.

"Why the heck is something like this inside of a damn clock?!" Gajeel said indignantly.

"Who the heck knows?!" Natsu barked. "Does it even matter?!"

Just then, they found another member of the Oración Seis waiting for them. Standing on top of a stone pillar was the woman with light blue hair in the blue and white dress, Angel.

"Sorry, boys and girls, but this is as far as you're getting," said Angel. "You foolish, unenlightened sinners are dealing with me now."

"I recognize that girl and the condescending attitude!" scowled Lucy. "That's Angel!"

The Celestial Spirit scowled as she braced herself to fight, but then Mira stepped up.

"You guys go on ahead. I can handle her!" said Mira.

"Why the heck are you guys deciding things on your own?!" Natsu squawked. "I mean, you and Erza really need to learn to work as a team."

"Just go already!" ordered Mira. "I said I'll handle her. Now get going!"

"But Mira, you already used your Satan Soul to beat Racer," said Elfman. "At least Lisanna and I can back you up!"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," said Mira. "I've got more than enough magic to fight one more member. Besides, we can't waste any time, and I think I'll ask her a few questions. Now, go."

Natsu then agreed. "Well, all right then. If that's what you want, Mira," he said. "She wouldn't be much of a match for me anyway."

"Be careful, Big Sis," said Lisanna. "Make sure you beat her!"

The party once again forged on, while Mira stayed behind with Angel. The group soon came to a dark corridor where they saw the Infinity Clock's gears, all of which were clicking and clacking about as they slowly moved. Then, an attack from above came shooting down, stopping the group in their tracks as a voice was heard.

"Well, well. A group of intruders for me to kill, and Fairy Tail no less."

Everyone looked up, and standing on top of a large gear was Midnight.

"Did you really think that you could reach the goal completely unopposed? How naive," said Midnight. "I'm not about to let you go any further to Father."

"I call dibs on this joker!" Natsu barked. "You guys go on ahead!"

"What was all that about teamwork, you hypocrite?!" Gray snapped crossly. "You keep goin'. I can handle this guy by myself!"

"No way, Gray! I ain't gonna let you hog him all for yourself!" argued Natsu. "Get in the back of the line, bub! I already called dibs!"

But Gray ignored Natsu as he leered at Midnight. "So, you're the one that gave Erza a hard time a while back, huh? You don't look that tough to me," he scoffed. "You look like a moody teenager that got into his mother's makeup."

"I'm not interested in the opinions of gutter trash," sneered Midnight with a grin. "Especially a minor Fairy Tail crony like you."

Now, Gray was angry. "You wanna say that to my face, man?!" he snarled. "Screw this! This punk's all mine! Get going, Natsu!"

"You're not the boss of me!" Natsu snapped. "I said I got this guy!"

"Come on, you guys! This isn't the time to be arguing!" Lucy snapped. "Elfman, grab Natsu! Gray, we'll leave Midnight to you!"

And before Natsu could even protest, Elfman scooped him up with one arm carrying him and raced off with the others following close behind.

"Hey! Let me go! Natsu protested. "I wanna fight Midnight!"

"Just let Gray handle him, Natsu!" said Lisanna. "We need to keep moving!"

"You'll pay for this, Gray!" Natsu yelled as he was carried. "I'll get you back for this, you cheater!"

The group continued and soon came to another open and spacious corridor. The place was teeming with magic power that crackled and sparked as currents went through the walls above them.

"How much farther do we have to go, Coco?" wondered Lucy.

"Not much," replied Coco. "We're should be getting close to the center of the Infinity Castle's Magic Power!"

Natsu sniffed around, picking up a scent. "I think I just picked up Michelle's scent!" he said. "She's somewhere close by!"

"Most likely, she's with Brain," said Lucy. "If we can follow that, it'll take us straight to them! If we don't run into-"

But then, Lucy was rudely interrupted by a large tidal wave of Earth coming straight towards them.

"Look out!" yelled Lisanna.

Natsu and Elfman stood in front of the girls, both of them preparing to unleash their magic, but Gajeel reacted faster.

"IRON DRAGON ROAR!"

With a mighty hurricane-like blast of steel erupting from his mouth, Gajeel canceled out the wave of mud in a matter of seconds. When it was dispelled, someone once again stood in their way, revealing themselves to be the perpetrator. It was the tall man with the boxy face, thick orange hair, and a pointed mustache.

"It's that Earth guy that keeps shouting love all the time!" said Natsu.

"Also known as Hoteye," said Coco.

"What do you think you're doing, Richard?!" demanded Lucy. "I thought that you stopped working for the Oracion Seis! Why are you working with them now?"

"I live to serve my master Brain! I would never betray him!" replied Hoteye. "Those who dare get in his way shall be swallowed up by my Liquid Ground! Oh, yeah!"

"Is that so?" smirked Gajeel. "Then, let's see how your Liquid Ground fares against my Iron magic?"

"Don't tell me. You're going to take him on?" Natsu asked flatly.

"If you already know, then get going already, Salamander," said Gajeel. "Once I take care of this guy, I'll catch up with you. But make sure you save some punches for me. I want a crack at this Brain guy, too!"

"Then, we'll leave him to you. Go get 'em, Gajeel!" encouraged Lucy.

Natsu, Lucy, Coco, Elfman, and Lisanna ran on, leaving Gajeel to deal with Hoteye. At the end of the corridor, they soon came through an opening. When they did, they saw Imitatia standing before them and Brain standing in front of the amber crystal sphere, typing away furiously using his Archive magic, while Klodoa hovered close to him.

Brain sensing their arrival looked towards where they stood, and when he saw them, frowned. "So, you lowly maggots have made it this far," he said.

Imitatia immediately unsheathed her blade and shield, ready to fight. "You're wasting your time! I won't let you interfere with Master Brain's plan!" said Imitatia. "Turn around and go back to that rotting hut you call a guildhall!"

"There is no way we're doing that, Michelle!" said Natsu. "We're not only going to stop you and this hunk of junk, but we're gonna beat you and make you tell us where Willy is! So, if you know what's good for you, you'll get out of our way!"

"You can't stop us from achieving our goal, and as far as I'm concerned about Willy, you'll never see him again," snarled Imitatia. "Now, this is your final warning! If you don't leave now, then I will be forced to take your lives!"

"Michelle, please! You don't want to fight us, and we don't want to fight you unless we have to! Especially me!" begged Lucy. "We're sisters, and we have no reason to fight each other! So please, stand down, and tell us where Willy is!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Imitatia spoke coldly. "And stop pretending like we're family. That was nothing more than a facade. I am the eighth member of the Oracion Seis, the Mistress of Deception, Imitatia, and I will eliminate anyone who dares to oppose my master Brain."

Lucy was hurt, while Natsu and the others were angry.

"Geez, first you trick us, and now this? You're not the man I thought you were," scoffed Elfman. "Guess we'll have to beat you to the ground then!"

"Lucy, I know you thought of Michelle as your sister, but we've got no choice," Lisanna said to the blonde quietly. "We have to fight her."

"It certainly won't be easy," said Coco. "Not to mention that even if we beat her, we also have Brain to deal with."

"Come on, you guys! Let's win this!" said Natsu. "Let's beat these guys and shut this thing down!"

"You got it!" said Lisanna, Elfman, and Coco.

"Imitatia, make sure that you hold them off while I continue working," said Brain. "It's only a matter of time before I gain control of the Infinity Clock, so stall them however long it takes."

"Understood, Master Brain," acknowledged Imitatia.

Lucy was reluctant, but she answered with a nod as she, along with everyone else, braced themselves for battle as Imitatia went on the attack swinging her sword.

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And Happy Thanksgiving if I don't see you!

Until then, Dragomaster, signing off!