Chapter 16: Battle Between Lovers Part 2

7/7 Children's Home: Mother's Home

Nishijima was chatting with Sting, who had just received a call from Yukino. "What? There was an explosion at the tower?"

"Yes, according to the Yukino, 7th has made their move, and Yukiteru along with Yuno are there facing the couple." Sting confirmed.

Leone sighed. "Things have gotten more crazy."

Rogue was talking with the two exceeds, Lector and Frosch. "Listen, you two. Get the tower right away, but be careful not to get seen. We'll give Gajeel's team a call too!"

"Right!"

Minerva was looking at the sky until she felt her phone vibrate. "What is this?" She looked at her Diary entry and read something that made her gasp. "Oh no..." She turned around to the others. "Sting, Rogue, we got another problem!"


At the SAKURAMI Tower

Main Lobby area

Yuki was able to grab Yuno's hand. "Got you!" She pulled up her crush to safety.

"Thanks..." Yuki said panting in relief.

Chelsea ran over to the two. "Are you two okay?"

Yuno sighed. "Y-yes, we're fine." She then looked to where Mr. Amano was. "Hey my love, where's your father?"

"Over there!" Chelsea pointed out to see the 7th holder and his girlfriend fleeing the scene with unconscious Mr. Amano. "Father!"

"What are they doing, this place is falling apart!" Yukiteru yelled.

"It's obvious, they're going to the higher floor and use their parachute to get off the tower," Yuno summarized as her crush looked at her in surprise.

"She's right, your father has intel on the eleventh holder, so, they need him alive," Chelsea added. "Plus, Yuki, your father will need protection." Yuki was about to ask the assassin what she meant by that when the former assassin turned around fast sensing a great danger. "Guys, we got company!"

The elevator blew up and the door came flying off into the wall. "What now?" Yuki asked in a whimpering tone.

Out of the smoke came a figure. It was Puppetina.

"What the hell is that?" Yuki asked with a frightened expression.

Chelsea already had that answer. "She must be one of Zeref's demons!"

"Well, I didn't think I would find any other humans here after seeing the explosion." Puppetina had a devilish grin on her face. "Guess you humans have the devil's luck on your side. Pity that your luck is about to run out."

Chelsea glanced at the two teenagers. "Yuno, Yuki, go on and let me handle her!"

Yuki was stunned by Chelsea's words. "What, you can't fight her alone!" Chelsea's face became serious. "I'll be fine, right now, you two need to take down 7th!"

Yuki still was unsure about this. "How can you defeat her?"

"I don't know...but, I'll give you some time to rescue your father and take down 7th!" Chelsea turned away and transformed into Gajeel, taking the other two teenagers by surprise speaking Gajeel's tone. "Don't worry, Lector, Frosh, and Lily are coming!" She held her cell phone showing the text entry.

Yukiteru could see the teenage girl had made up her mind. "Alright, be careful." Chelsea chuckled. "Yuno...Yuki...same to you both."

The two holders ran off up the stairs. "Yuno...I'm sorry...I did manage to improve my fighting skills. Still, I have a lot to learn."

Yuno giggled which her crush heard. "I think you did great...you've gotten a lot stronger and this is the first time you managed to deal some damage on an enemy." Yukiteru smiled tenderly at his stalker. "Thank you, Yuno."

Yuno blushed pink. "Anyway, I do have a plan. 7th suspects you to be weak, so, let's use that to our advantage." Yuki had to admit that could work. "Yes, with my tools we should have the advantage." He took out a Flame Dial. "Here take this."


M

Gajeel's team was riding through his vehicle through a road on an unnamed street. "Damn it, out of the times, why does a demon have to show up at the tower."

Lily had a theory on that. "It's possible that they've come from the Holders. So, Yuki, Yuno, and the 7th holder are their target. By the way, where is Hibiki, Jenna, Ace, and Kagura?"

"They're at the station for the time being," Levy said checking a message from Yukino. "According to Yukino, Chelsea followed Yuki and Yuno up the SAKURAMI Tower."

"Isn't that suppose to closed?" Gajeel asked.

"It was, but, it appears 7th and their allies are using as the battlefield," Lily answered. "At that's what it looks like."


Inside an elevator, Marco and Ai were looking out the glass window.

"Takes us back, doesn't it my dear?"

Ai smiled tenderly. "Yeah, it feels like yesterday when you and I met here."

F


14 years ago

SAKURAMI Tower

"That day our parents abandoned us. I found you sitting on the floor looking so sad."

Child Marco who was wearing a cap approached his childhood friend Ai. "You were abandoned, well, face it. The children you see here had the same fate." He tilts his cap forward. "Honestly, adults are nothing but scum...but, it's your lucky day." Child Marco took off his cap as he looked at Ai with a smile. "You can come with me."

Ai's POV

"That man...Marco. He was like me thrown away by his parents as if he was trash. That tower is the land of my memories.


F

Ai was looking at her Diary. "By the way, those two kids are chasing after us." Marco didn't seem too worried as he placed his left hand on his left face. "That's fine, this will show the feelings we have for each other." Ai nodded with a smile. "Yeah, honestly, do you think their love is strong or do you think they can survive without it?"

Marco sighed. "Honestly, they don't trust each other. They fight individually meaning they're not in sync with each other." He rubbed his cheek. "Though, I can see 1st has gained some balls from his training. He also managed to hurt me, I can at least give him credit on that."

Ai giggled. "Yes, first and second have some interesting friends. Either way, we'll be the victors."


Back at the main lobby

"Iron Dragon's Roar!" Gajeel(Chelsea)unleashed a breath attack on the demon.

"Puppet Spiral Spin!" The puppet queen began to spiral herself around like a top reply to the attack.

"Crap!" Chelsea cursed.

"My turn...Puppet Replica!" Puppetina spread her arms apart and a puppet that resembled Babara summoned from a black magic circle.

"W-W-what is this?" Chelsea stuttered.

Puppetina let out an amusing chuckle once she saw the former assassin's face. "This is my curse power...Puppet Control...I can summon out puppets and make them look anything from my enemies' past, but, that's the beginning of your trouble human girl."

The puppet Babara began to dash at Chelsea wielding a butcher knife. "Iron Dragon Scales!" Chelsea quickly turned her body into iron scales just in time to block her former leader's blade. "That was close, she has the same skill and speed as the real Babara."

"That's right, my puppet replicas can copy the speed, strength, and abilities of the people from my opponents' memories." Puppetina chuckled as she kept her hand in her pocket.

"Let me show you what else it can do." Puppetina declared with an evil smile.

Puppet Babara put its hands out. "Darkness Wave Cutter!" She released projectile wave cutters that were dark.

Chelsea quickly transformed into Jet. Using the speed to evade the attacks. However, someone managed to appear in front of her and deliver a punch in her face sending a crash into a wall. "Ow...what...was..." She saw the butler Daniel and he delivered a barrage of fists. "Speed Magic: Barrage Fist!"

Chelsea covered her arms but she was getting seriously damaged. "Damn it..." Once the attack was over, Chelsea fell to her knees and her form went back to normal.

"How do you like that?" Puppetina taunted with a smirk. "My curse power also can give my puppets their magic based on their character. Babara is an assassin and violent which is a good match for darkness. Daniel such speed for an old man which gives his speed magic."

Chelsea gritted her teeth. "This bastard can give her puppets their magic, that's insane." She knew she had to figure out how to defeat the demon and her puppets. However, she had a theory. "As far as I can know there's always a catch when using abilities and trump cards."


At the observation deck

Marco and Ai arrived there only to see Yuno Gasai was there. "Where is first?" Marco asked looking around the area suddenly he felt a bit tired. "Ugh..."

Yuno noticed the coned-haired man's sudden reaction. "What the..."

Ai noticed her boyfriend looking a bit winded. "Honey, what's wrong?" Marco put his hand on his head. "Damn, what was that?" He quickly dismissed the thought. "Nevermind, what is 1st?"

"Hey, 7th, I got a question for you!" Yuki's voice was heard on a speaker that was hanging from the wall. "You only beat me last time because I'm a wuss as you put it. So, you shouldn't have a problem taking down someone like Yuno or are you scared?"

"S-scared...he's having his..." Marco felt provoked as his teeth started to grind like an angry dog that was just teased and not in a good way. "Despite that, you landed two hits on me leaving the left side of my face burned, I thought you'd grow some balls!"

"One more thing I should tell you..." Marco and Ai raised their eyebrows in wonder.

B

Chelsea transformed into Wendy. "Sky Dragon's Roar!" She blew out a hurricane blast of wind at the puppets swallowing them.

"Nice try...but it's all for not!" Puppetina jumped inside the hurricane wind. "Puppet Spiral Spin!" Her body was spinning rapidly enough to blow away the wind breath attack.

"Crap, she's pretty good at countering moves!" Chelsea gritted her teeth reversing her transformation and turning into Natsu. "Fire Dragon's Roar!" Unleashing a fire breath at the puppet demon.

"Darkness Stream!" Puppet Babara put her hands out front and released a stream of dark energy which collided until the attacks exploded. She then caught a glimpse of the demon's hand holding something in her jacket's pocket.


Ai and Marco began to lose their balance. "Crap, another bomb!"

Yukiteru realized who this was. "Must Chelsea and the demon sounds like the battle is getting intense. I must end this before the tower comes tumbling down." He continued with the plan. "If you want to get me, go through Yuno first, unless you're scared."

Marco was pissed even more. "You bastard...I'll make you eat those words when your blood!" Yuno seeing her chance rushed at him with her knife.

"Careful dear, she'll aim at your face from the right!"

"Got it!" Suddenly Marco felt his legs go numb and his eyes widened as he abruptly thought he was lying on one knee. "Damn...what was that?"

Ai gasped. "My dear..."

Yuno seeing her chance continued rushing at him close. "No, I won't go down!" Marco pulled back his right arm. "Careful, Yuno, a uppercut from his right hand!"

Yuno chuckled. Marco delivered a uppercut with his right fist but his attack missed. "I ain't done!" He used most of his strength he barely hid in his legs to jump tackling the girl to the ground.

Yuno wasn't down yet as she took the knife cutting his arm causing him to yelp in pain and roll off the girl.

"Marco!" Ai cried with concern.

"I admit, you got me even though, I feel...numb..." He struggled to get up but his knees were back to feeling numb.

Ai wasn't understanding what was going on with her boyfriend's condition. "His knees are numb...how can that be?" She then realized when Yukiteru impaled his dart inside his hand. "Wait...did that boy..." Her eyes widened. She quickly threw multiple knives at Yuno, who was able to deflect them like last time. "Time for my new weapon! Flame Dial!" A stream of fire blew right Ai, but she quickly dodged it but her legs were scorched.

"You bitch!" Marco was able to get up on his knees but barely. "I ain't going to let you win!" He took out a pistol and aimed it at Yuno's face but before he could pull the trigger, he felt a bullet hit him in the shoulder causing him to fall.

"Marco!" Ai got on her feet throwing a punch but she felt a bullet go through her left leg throwing her off her balance.

"Snatch her Diary!" Yukiteru came running with his pistol.

Yuno took her knife preparing to swing it again, but, Marco got in the way shielding his woman as the knife stabbed him in the chest. Ai was stunned.

Yukiteru was shocked as Yuno stabbed the knife deep into Marco's chest who coughed out blood and saliva and fell on his back. "Ai..." He coughed again and blood dripped down his mouth.

"Marco..." Ai crotched down her man.

B

Chelsea and Puppetina's attack left black smoke and was leaving the area due to the broken windows. Puppetina was searching around the area with her puppets. "To think that a human-like her would run, not surprising, cowardice is in their nature."

"Meow..." Chelsea quickly snatched something hanging from the demon's pocket in her mouth.

"No..." Puppetina screamed noticing the panther cub.

Chelsea turned into Jet once more. "Catch me if you can!" She ran while Daniel chased after her. Babara was running on the other side preparing to ambush Chelsea.

"Heheheheh..." Chelsea quickly ran toward the puppet Babara with Daniel on her tail. "Almost there..."

Puppetina realized what the human girl was planning. "Both stop!" Chelsea smirked transforming into Juliet. "Mucus Shock!" She put her hands apart at the puppets releasing a gunk stream at the replicate puppets trapping them.

"No...they're trapped...no matter attack that brat!" Puppetina commanded but her puppets didn't make a move. "What is going on?"

"The mucus you see isn't just sticky, it can also burn the enemy that's trapped in the mucus," Chelsea explained as she held up an item that resembled a puppet controller but it looked advanced and had magic energy coming from it. "This is how you can get your puppets to use magic! This device gives them their magic and protects them from being hurt. Why, because you can use it to create a barrier on them including yourself! In other words, you use Curse and magic power, to throw your enemies off! I admit it was clever but predictable. I've seen other enemies do something similar!"

Puppetina flinched a little. "It's kinda like how wizards use Holder Type Magic too!" Chelsea transformed into Laxus as she gripped the device in her hand and smashed it into pieces. "Also, the device is fragile not to magic but to anything that's hard like someone with brute strength or if were to fall hard." She pulled back her arm. "Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Roaring Thunder!" She threw a punch with a large amount of lightning impacting the puppet queen in the chest sending her crashing out the window and shattering her wooden body.

"All this time, I thought I was the queen of puppets...but...it seems my throne has been de-throne..." Puppetina thought as her body disappeared into the air.

From a nearby building roof top, Andrew was scanning the figure that came flying out of the tower. "Puppetina...farewell."


At the unknown realm

The demons felt a pain sensation.

Torafuzar looked up. "Puppetina's curse power...is gone...she was killed."

Ruguro let out a grunt. "Never thought she would die."

Jackal cackled. "Guess that wooden chick got her touch."

Brron groaned slightly. "Such a tragic...yet, no matter."


Back at the observation deck

Ai was holding Marco in her arms. "Marco..."

"Ai...are you okay?" He asked his eyes squinting.

Yukiter had a question for Yuno. "Yuno, you didn't have to stab him or her, I had a plan which was to use another dial to throw them off too close to snatch their Diaries."

Yuno just gave him a deadpan look. "I didn't know that because you never mentioned it." Yukiteru knew he had some things to talk to Yuno about before she would do something she wouldn't be able to take back.

Suddenly the building's rumbling got worse. "Got to take this!" Mr. Amano stole the parachute just as the three Exceeds, Lector, Frosh, and Lily arrived. Gajeel was there being carried by Lily.

"Yuki! Yuno!"

Mr. Amano fell backward in shock. "Eek! Talking flying cats!"

"Lector, Frosh, Lily, Gajeel!"

Ai was stunned. "Are those cats talking?" She asked with a gaping mouth.

"Where is Chelsea?" Yuki asked worriedly.

"She's fine, she got out," Lily replied which relieved Yuki.

Mr. Amano didn't realize he dropped the parachute. "Uhh...son, what is going on here now?" Yuki approached his dad. "Listen, Dad, you clearly don't understand what's going on, but, I will explain everything to you including Mom." Before his father could get a word in, he felt a hand grab his shirt which belonged to Gajeel. "Listen old timer, we just arrived here to save our friends including your sorry ass!" He growled. "Look, you probably have a lot of questions going in that skull of yours. However, right now we get to you in custody!"

"No, I can't die!" Mr. Amano sobbed.

Gajeel slapped the old man on the face. "Pull it together! I told you you'll be under protected custody, without us, you'll be a sitting duck by for the eleventh!"

"They're right," Yuki's voice calmed down his father. "Listen Dad, my friends will sure you're safe, so please listen to them." Mr. Amano was seemingly calming down. "Alright, son..."

"Also, I know this is a long shot, but, if you talk to me at the station with Mom too, I want us to be a family again. I know that may be impossible, but, I want you both to give your love another chance, if not, that's fine." Mr. Amano had a regretful and guilty expression on his face. "Alright...take me away."

Lector lifts Yuki's father. "Lector, you and Frosch, we'll catch up!" Gajeel ordered. With that, the two exceeds flew off.

Yuno had the parachute. "Good, we can leave."

"Wait..." Marco's voice was heard still held in Ai's arms. "I need to talk to you and second..."

"Marco...don't speak..."

"No, I have to tell them something..." Marco forced his eyes open as he turned his head. "Listen, you defeated us, your teamwork was remarkable and you outsmarted me."

Yukiteru was not expecting to be praised by the enemy. "However...your love for each other is lacking still." Yuno felt offended but Gajeel put his hand on her shoulder. "Let him speak..."

"First, I think you have gotten stronger, but, keep running your mouth about showing mercy to enemies. I admit you got some balls now, but, once things get out of control for your enemy, you get all weepy and merciful on them! My point is, that you would rather show mercy instead act like a man because you don't have the guts to fight and I bet you didn't even before you started this Survival Game!"

Those words hit Yukiteru hard in the gut.

"Second, you're just as bad as your pretend boyfriend! You help first but on the other, you don't trust his judgment!" Those words made Yuno flinch as she remembered Yukino said something similar. "You say you love him, but it's clear to me that you don't understand love as you say you do!"

Yuno's eyes widened as Marco's words were truthful in the way that they were. "Do you remember when we fought back at the mansion and that robot freak interfered?" Yuno did remember. "Your pretend boyfriend told me he was too weak to save you! From where I stood back on that day, he was nothing but a spineless moron and yet he saved you from that robotic freak back in the cathedral!" Marco continued. "My point is about love, it's something you can't pretend to be in real life! It's something that is suppose felt between two people and that is the difference between us!" He coughed out more blood.

"Marco!" Ai sobbed.

Gajeel narrowed his eyes at the 7th holder. "I have to admit, that's some advice, he may be our enemy. But, he's an expert on what pretend love and what real love is."

Lily had his arms crossed. "I might not be a lover, but his advice is strong."

Yukiteru took a deep breath. "Yuno...he's right." He turned to look at his stalker. "Listen, I need to ask you something, so listen." Yuno looked at her crush with an uncertain look. "Do you love me or are you just crazy?"

"Yuki...I do...why do you ask?" Yuno asked a little hurt.

"I mean, you talk about how you love me, you say that so many times...but, I want to believe that you do...so, please believe in me...by trusting me so I can trust you." Yukiteru held out his hand which Yuno looked at and tossed the knife on the floor. She then took her crush's hand. "I love Yuki..." A small smile was shown on Yuki's face.

Yuki looked at Marco. "Marco..." The cone-haired man squints his eyes open a little. "You're right, our love is lacking...but, I want to try to work things out with her not just for me, but for her."

Marco chuckled weakly. "Heheheheh...well, pity my woman and I won't be able to see it..." Those were his last words until he died and his Diary read "7th dies from blood loss, Dead End"

Yuki put on the parachute and jumped out while carrying them in the air. Gajeel and Lily were about to leave when Ai's voice called. "You two..." The iron dragon slayer and the black exceed turned. "Your friends of those kids, right?"

"Yeah, what's it to you?"

"Do you believe their love will become a reality?" Ai asked as tears fell down her cheeks.

Lily decided to answer first. "That's entirely up to them. However, I believe they can."

Gajeel did his trademark laugh. "Honestly, I could relate to those two. I have a girlfriend named Levy Mcgarden, back then, things were a little rough between us. But, we became close and are together." Ai giggled. "I see...well, I wish those two luck and hope their love will grow into eternal love."

"Let's go!" Lily ordered.

Ai pressed her head against her boyfriend's face. "Sorry I couldn't help you become a God, but, we tried. Plus, we'll be together in the afterlife. I'll be seeing you soon, my love." The tower finally collapsed.

Yuki was still in the air holding Yuno. "Listen Yuno, I want to sit down mom and Dad down once I arrive at the police station to have a serious talk."

"About our friends being from another world?" Yuno guessed.

"That, but...well, first I know my dad isn't your favorite person..." Yukiteru paused for a second. "I'd like to convince them both to give their love another shot and I'd like it if you can help." Hearing that made Yuno happy as a pink hue appeared on her cheeks. "Okay..."

"Also, I want us to get to know our friends better because I want to make more good memories with them and I want you to get to know them too, please." Yukiteru requested.

Yuno smiled a little. "Yeah, besides Wendy Pinky swear me to go with her and the girls on a girls' night out."

Yukiteru wasn't expecting that, but he smiled and pressed his forehead against hers. "I'm glad to hear that...Yuno Gasai." He then kissed on the lips surprising Yuno brightening her blush even more. "Yuki..." Her eyes closed.

"Ooh..." A voice said with teasing tone.

"Mmm...?" Yuki's eyes opened seeing Lector and Frosh. "Whoa, how long have you two been there?" He exclaimed blushing red removing his lips from Yuno's.

"Sorry, did we interrupt you?" Lector joked with a sly grin.

"I think we did, sorry," Frosch said innocently.

"Anyway, where's my dad?" Yuki asked.

"He's fine, Nishjima and the others arrived on the scene then some officers took him in."

"It's about time," Gajeel and Lily went past them.

Nishjima approached them as they landed. "Yuki, are you and Yuno alright?"

"Yeah," Yuki nodded.

Wendy, Chelia, and Yukino hugged Yuno. "Yuno!"

"You're safe!"

"You had us worried!"

Yuno was stunned by their hug but she felt warm and comfortable. "What is this...feeling, I haven't been this way...since..." She felt tears forming in her eyes.

Carla was there and noticed the girl's reaction. "Are those tears?"

"Yuki!" Rea Amano arrived. "Thank goodness!" She hugged her son who returned the hug. "Mom!"

The Earthland wizards smiled at the heartwarming reunion. "Mom, I know this is a lot to ask, but, I want to talk to you and Dad about something serious. My friends want to tell you something too." Rea looked at the others as they nodded. "Okay, son, let's go see your father at the station."


In the unknown realm

Muru Muru was having a chat with the demons explaining of what she saw from the Holy Hall's screen. "Poor Puppetina, such a talent she had and yet she goes to the afterlife."

Torafuzar had an angry look. "To think a human figured out her weapon so quickly."

Rugoro let out a grunt clenching his fists. "Honestly, the humans are more sharp than I realized."

Andrew had a evil smile. "Though, first seems to have grown some stones. He might be a worthy opponent once he and I fight for Yuno's love."

Torafuzar grunted in disgust. "Enough of that lovesick nonsense."

"For once, I agree," Jackal spoke. "Love is for idiots that believe that human crap."

"No matter, the life energy she stole shall not be for nothing," Brron smirked. "Soon or later, the ultimate power will be ours once we hunt down the Future Diary Holders."


The demon Puppetina shows and fights Chelsea, the fight is tough, but she manages to defeat the puppet queen. Yukiteru and Yuno managed to take down Marco and Ai. Marco gives the two young Holders some advice on their love. Mr. Amano is taken into the police's custody. Yukiteru convinces Yuno to believe in him so they can work through their love and have it grow.

The question is, will Yuki and Yuno's love grow or will it just keep being pretend? Also, what will happen between Yuki's parents? Find out next time.

P.S. credit for Chelsea's Mimic Magic goes to to the writer animedevilluvzyuri.

End of chapter.