Chapter 20: The final battle

Hello, minna! ♥

I HAD THE BIGGEST WRITERS BLOCK WRITING THIS CHAPTER, so pardon my sloppy writing... I keep apologizing for sloppy writing...

I hope you didn't wait to long on this chapter! (which you did, but let's pretend you didn't, kay?)

//тнeвιѕcυιтqυeen♥_________________________________________________________________________________

"Lu-chan, are you okay?" Levy asked, as she and Gray had rushed to Lucy, who currently was resting in the lap of Levy. Nodding, Lucy closed her eyes. Not to sleep, just to rest, though that wasn't as easy as it sounded.

Behind them, Zeref had gone on his legs again, and now it was Natsu and the other's turn to circle around him. The smirk on Natsu's face told them, that he enjoyed every minute of this.

Lucy felt a hand on her shoulder.

"I don't think you should try standing," Gray muttered, worried, his hands resting on his sides. "You haven't fully healed yet, and Zeref just made it worse." Again Lucy just nodded from Levy's lap. Levy were stroking Lucy's forehead, trying to make relax in her lap as the other fought. 

Before Gray walked away again, she hear Levy say: "Gray, your clothes!" and after that, a crossing between an annoying sound and a shocked sound enacted.

"I'm sure they are going to be fine, Lu-chan," Levy assured her, still stroking her forehead. "And so are you." Lucy managed to send her a smile, before she dozed off into a deep slumber. _________________________________________________________________________________

Natsu had lit both of his hands on fire. Erza, Juvia, Gajeel, him and now Gray were circling around him. They needed the best timing to jump at the machine, destroying it forever. If they tried to destroy it now, Zeref would stop them, killing them all in a second. 

Inside the "circle", Zeref looked calm. Not the typical expression of a person, that's close to death. And he was close to death. Natsu wouldn't hesitate to kill him for what he did to Lucy, but also for the sins he had done. 

"There is something you should know before you attack me," Zeref said with self-confident voice. Pulling out a light green glove, he put it on, smiling. "There is 26 gloves in total. They are from a world so many worlds away from this. They each have an special ability, like controlling an element or letting an individual teleport." The group exchanged confused look as the stopped circling around him.

"Why are you telling us this?" Erza asked, standing on guard, ready to take whatever attack he would throw at her.

"As they can control elements, open doors and make an individual disappear," Zeref muttered, sending a cryptic look out to the group. "So can one of them copy a persons magic, but only once. And since I was so fascinated by Delora's magic... I couldn't help, but copy hers."

Erza and Gajeel's eyes widened, whilst Natsu and Gray just gritted their teeth and Juvia covered her mouth with her hands.

"Bastard..." Gajeel and Natsu muttered in unison. With Delora's magic it would be nearly impossible to beat him.

Zeref chuckled over their frustration, raising the glove into the air, making it glow bright green. "Illusion lucra; Zeref, six!" all of their eyes widened and some even gasped in shock as six Zeref's, all with the magic of death, appeared in front of them.

"I thought I'd make it fair," Zeref said, putting the glove back in his pocket. "So there's a clone for each of you. And, Natsu, I will expect a battle from you." Natsu gritted his teeth once again, and clenched his fists.

"But you made six copies," Natsu exclaimed, stepping forward with a threatening aura. "Are you... expecting Lucy to fight?" He gazed over at Lucy who was lying, unconscious, in a shocked Levy's lap. Two Zerefs stood in front of them, and Levy had raised her hand, trying to threaten them away.

Shrugging, Zeref let go of the cape he had worn, letting in fall to the ground. It would be much easier to fight in that dressing.

"Well, why not?" Zeref replied, like the answer was obvious. "I don't see the reason why she shouldn't be in this fight."

"Are you stupid?" Natsu yelled, his patient running out. A vein had formed in his forehead and his whole body was lit on fire. "Lucy is unconscious! She can't walk nor fight! And it's your fault!"

"Now, now," Zeref said, a taunting tone in his voice. He knew exactly what buttons to click to make Natsu lose his temper. "If Lucy aren't willing to fight, I guess another one of you must fight it."

"I'll do it," Erza volunteered, equipping into her Heaven's Wheel Armor. Walking up to Natsu, Erza put a hand on his shoulder, and sent him a firm look. "Focus on this Zeref. Kill if you have to."

"Ah, I'll kill him even if I do not have to," Natsu exclaimed, struck his knuckles together. His eyes were determined. "I'll make you pay for what you've done to this world!" As he finished that sentence, he ran forwards, smashing his fire lit hand into Zeref's face, which only made him step back one steps. Uttering a shocked sound, Natsu landed on his feet just right behind Zeref. "How did you-"

"I'm older than 400 years," Zeref reminded Natsu as he turned to him. His one eyebrow was raised and his arms were crossed. "You have to do better than that to defeat me." And with that, all the other battles were started. ___________________________________________________________________________________

Dodging another blow of the death magic, Erza jumped to the left, nearly losing her balance. Battling two Zerefs was harder than it sounded. Zeref had been the strongest and most dangerous wizard in so many years, that even the mighty Titania was put to a challenge.

The two Zerefs both pulled up an peach colored glove, which they put on. Erza gulped, trying to contain her shock. They hadn't only copied Zeref, but also copied his items. A little after, they held each other’s hand, combining an attack. Behind Erza, her friends were fighting as well, and small battle cries enacted once in a while. It didn't look good.

Turning her attention back to the two Zerefs, she realized that they were ready to attack, which they did. Out from their combined, gloved hands, an orange beam of light shot, and hit Erza right in the stomach before she even had a chance to dodge it. It was hot. Extremely hot. It was most likely a heat glove. Letting out a cry, she flew several meters, and landed on her stomach. But it didn't stop her. Getting on her feet again, Erza stormed forwards, aiming her sword at one of the Zeref's chest. As she got closer, the Zeref she was targeting suddenly smirked to her, which caused her to lose focus. Another orange beam caught her off guard, sending her flying across the room again.

"You should have realized it by now," the Zeref, she had target, said, folding his arms as the other Zeref followed him close behind. Erza, who was slowly getting on her feet again, sent them both a shocked and confused look. She had no idea that they were able to talk. Delora's copies had not spoken, unless it had been to cast a spell. "Though we are just copies, we have an individual brain. Each of us. We don't have to be controlled by Zeref to fight."

The other Zeref stepped up, putting his hand on the first Zeref's shoulder. "So, Titania," he said with a cryptic smile playing on his lips. "Do you really think you can beat us? We could kill you right here and now. And guess what? We're planning on doing that."

Erza gritted her teeth, now standing up. Pointing her sword towards the copies, panting, she growled: "I'll never give up. Never!" Her words echoed throughout the room. ___________________________________________________________________________________

"Gray-sama," Juvia exclaimed as she was slammed directly into the ice mage, who had already stripped down. "Juvia is sorry, that she hit you. Her Water Body isn't working correctly." She drew her hand across the mark she had gotten on her stomach, where her Water body should have made her invincible. Gray extended his had, which she didn't hesitate to take. 

Gray shook his head. "Don't think about it," he assured her. A little after, he gestured to the Zeref, who was walking up to her "But right now, try to focus on attacking your opponent instead of defending yourself. In that way, you won't get hit so easily." Juvia nodded and stormed forwards, yelling "Water Slicer!" and after that had hit her opponent, she yelled  "Water Beam!". Both attacks hit perfectly, but only caused a little damage. 

"It seems, that you show a lot of affection to that girl," Gray's opponent pointed out, watching Juvia's actions. "You almost seem protective towards her." Gray tsk'd, standing in fight position again.

"What are you talking about?" Gray asked, clenching his teeth afterwards. "I know Juvia can handle herself. She's strong." The clone let out a chuckle, which annoyed Gray, boundlessly.

"The way you answer immediately tells a different story," Zeref said, gazing from the fighting Juvia to Gray. "I've... or the original me, has always been a fan of tragic love stories... What if..." Licking his lips, he sent a struck of death magic towards Juvia, who had no idea what was coming for her.

"No!" Gray yelled, running towards the beam, trying to stop it, but it was too fast for him, even though it felt like time was going in slow motion. He had to do something. Fast. Now. And so he did.

Jumping in front of the death beam, he yelled: "Ice Make: Freeze Lancer!" Hundreds of lances stormed towards the clone, who had sent the beam of death magic. A couple of the lances went through the beam, slowing it down, but as it went through the death magic, it hit the clone right in the chest, making him disappear into thin air. The death magic stopped, and his ice immediately melted to water. 

"Gray-sama..." Juvia whispered as she realized what had just happened. What could have happened. She fell to her knees. "Arigato..."

Gray grinned at her, extended his hand towards her, helping her on her feet again. His look turned serious again after Juvia was stable on her feet. He knew that it had just been a strike of luck. He had just caught the clone of guard. And if it had been the real Zeref, he would not stand a chance. He felt a little bad for Natsu, but that was it.

"Very touching, I must admit," Juvia's opponent said, clapping his hands together. "But I think we have to continue over here, don't you think?"

Gray and Juvia exchanged looks, where Gray afterwards said: "Let me lend you some strength!" Again, he extended his hand, which Juvia hesitating took. 

Holding hands, they faced the battle once again. ___________________________________________________________________________________

"Solid Script," Levy yelled, gesticulating wildly. "Heat!" Blue letters, spelling the word "heat" was formed, slamming into the Zeref she was fighting. Her only twitched a little in pain before sending a blow with the well-known gravity glove, which made her fall to the ground, crying out. Only a few meters behind her, the unconscious Lucy was lying, her one armed tugged under her head.

Another mini "earthquake" appeared under Levy. Unluckily, Levy was already trying to stand up, which caused her foot, that already had been healed once, to twist. A cracking sound enacted from her foot, making her cry out in agony. It was broken, there was no mistake there. Wendy had told her, that her ankle wasn't healed completely and she should be careful. She just didn't listen that carefully.

"Now, don't you think we should end this?" Zeref asked, raising his ungloved hand, pointing it towards her as a black glow shone in the end of it. "We could end this or... you could give me Lucy Heartfilia without hesitating, and then we avoid any harm, yes?" 

Levy tsk'ed as she tried to stand up on her injured foot. "I will never... give Lucy to you!" she yelled, raising her hands a little, ready to attack. She didn't use her nickname for Lucy, because she knew he would just laugh at her. And that would cause her moral to fall.

"Ah, I see," Zeref muttered, an evil smile playing on his lips. The black light shone brighter, which meant, that he probably would attack pretty soon. Levy knew it. This was her end. None of her attacks worked like on a normal opponent and she was already drained. "You are not willing to give up you friend. What a touching end." He had lowered his hand a bit while he talked, but now he raised it again, aiming at her.

But before he attacked her, a black iron pole hit him in the side, making him fly a few meters to the left, hitting the wall. It was Gajeel.

"Gajeel..." Levy muttered, her eyes a little narrowed at the iron dragon slayer, who apparently already had finished his opponent. She had hobbled a little backwards, making sure, that Lucy's unconscious body was okay. Gajeel turned his face to her, it was contracted in anger.

"Were you just about to give up?" he yelled in anger. His arms were still poles and iron scales covered him. 

Gulping, Levy shrugged, making Gajeel sigh. "I guess I have to fight him," he said, gazing at the clone, who was already on his feet again. "But only with you!" Levy sent him a surprised look, but afterwards smiled.

"Yeah," she exclaimed, hobbling towards him, and when she was about to fall, Gajeel caught her. "Let's do this!" ___________________________________________________________________________________

Erza couldn't take it much longer. And she didn't understand why. The others seemed to have to problem in defeating their clone, but Erza could barely get a hit in.

Storming forwards once again, Erza let out a battle cry as she swung her sword, aiming for the clones. But they dodged it. How could they dodge it? With her speed and force, it should be impossible to dodge that kind of attacks.

She landed on her feet again, gritting her teeth, as she equipped into her Mere Cloth "armor", which would give her a better chance to attack, yet no real defense. Jumping forwards, Erza actually landed a hit on the one clone, who was pushed back a couple of meters, but that was it. No real damage or anything.

The clone she hadn't hit, let out a laughter. A loud and creepy laughter. "You really haven't figured it out yet, have you?" he asked, like the answer would be obvious. "The original Zeref knew, that you would volunteer to fight both of us, so he gave us more strength." Erza sent him a puzzled look. "I know what you are thinking. Why didn't he just do that to all of the clones? You see, he uses his own magic to give us extra strength. He nearly used up half of his magic to do that. So now... we're invincible." Erza tsk'ed. How would they ever win this?

She turned to Natsu, who was busy fighting the original Zeref, Happy flying over his head - as a moral support. Natsu was covered in scars and bruises, and the original Zeref didn't even look exhausted. She gazed to the machine in the middle of the room. No body had touched, and Erza realized why. All of the clones had been summoned so their back faced the machine. Like they were guarding it. He had been a step ahead of them, again.

And there was another thing. Erza had figured out why Zeref hadn't just killed Natsu - and not to mention the others. Zeref had said it before. He wanted Natsu to kill him, but in a battle. The final battle. But if that didn't succeed, it would most likely cost Natsu his life.

Suddenly... an idea came to her head. It would maybe cost her, her life, maybe cost them their life, but it would be worth it. If she could distract the Zeref Natsu was fighting, Natsu could ruin the machine. It would be dangerous, because one struck of Zeref's death magic would cost them their life. But she took the risk.

Gazing over at Natsu again, Erza saw that he could freely go to the machine, if she could get Zeref distracted. She gazed back on her own opponents. They looked at her, trying to figure out what she was planning. But they couldn't figure it out.

Storming forwards, aiming for the original Zeref, Erza exclaimed: "Natsu, go! Destroy the machine while you have the chance!" And when she finished yelling, she landed a hit on the original Zeref, who was sent flying, but only a few meters. The other clones then came from the behind, holding Erza back, but the original Zeref had already been distracted. First Natsu stood shocked, but as Erza nodded to him, he started running.

"Hai, Erza!" Natsu yelled, getting lifted up by Happy. "Happy! Max speed!" And with full speed, they headed for the room's center, where the machine stood planted on a platform. Both of his hands were lit on fire, and so were his feet.

"No!" Zeref yelled, causing all the attention in the room to be turned to him. "Clones! Stop him! Kill him!" All the clones stopped their battles, and turned to Natsu, who was nearing the center with a determined look in his eyes.

Some of the clones shot beams of death magic towards Natsu, but they were too late. Natsu had already yelled out the final battle cry, before slamming his fire lit fists into the machine, which caused a big explosion. The explosion was so big, that it made everyone in the room flew backwards, hitting the walls.

 Erza felt her head ache as she sat up. Her eyes widened by the sight in front of her.

The machine was destroyed.

But at what cost? ___________________________________________________________________________________

What prize was paid for detroying the machine?

Read about that in the next chapter: Home is where my family is