Song: Time of Life (Extended)
By: The one and only Fairy Tail

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~Lucy~

My eyes were closed, as I felt complete ease while holding hands with Yukino, another Celestial Mage, that we both intended to abolish the Eclipse Gate. The Gate brought what should have been ten thousand Dragons upon us, but thankfully Yukino and I stopped to where we must deal with only seven Dragons. Though the number is incredibly small, more than half of Crocus has already burned into the ground. The sky filled with smoke reminded me of how easily I took over the capital of Fiore, it brought the memories back of being the Dark One. When I would kill an innocent bystander without a second thought. When I was more than ready to kill my own comrades to achieve what the first Dark One could not.

But I'm not only the Dark One. I am also the Light Goddess. Bearer and Protector of Light, just as I am with Darkness. Both Darkness and Light exist in me, battling day and night continuously without rest. The only time I believe they work together is when I'm pushed into my Balanced Form. I do hear their voices, but when I shift into my third form...I become them. I observe through their eyes, listen to their thoughts, and feel what they cannot express. Both beings are in great turmoil, both confused and scared of what they are, and why they fight eternally. They don't even remember a time when they didn't fight. Both of them believe they must be stronger than the other in order to finally make the Balance...well balanced.

The Balance is the reason why Magic even exists. The Balance helped create Midnight, StarLight, and even the Fifth Realm. The Balance is our way of life, and I am the only one that can control it in order for Magic to keep existing. If the Balance collapses, then so does everything in all the five realms. I am the bridge that connects all the Realms together, and if I fail at being the Bearer and Protector, then I have destroyed our livelihood.

The Darkness and Light will always despise me. They force themselves to believe that I am only a prison to them, and soon the Gods shall strike me down in order for Light and Darkness to find their own host so their battle continues with their own body. They must share, and I don't think they ever will as they rip my mind and body apart. I constantly struggle with nearly falling down to oblivion, just so I can finally be rid of this ignorant battle. Both of them will never realize they need each other in order to live. They refuse to see this. In a matter of time, one of them may triumph.

But you can't have Darkness without Light. And Light without Darkness.

"Lu-cy..." A voice chimed as I continued to think over my thoughts. "Lucy-..." The voice spoke louder this time as I began to hear my heartbeat quicken. I clenched my eyelids concentrating even harder to ignore this person. "LUCY!" My thoughts snapped, and I returned to reality. "You and Yukino must begin calling for your Spirits! We don't have much time before the Dragons move out of Crocus!" Gwen yelled covering her face with her arms.

Our keys were once again laid out in the form of a circle around us. I blinked multiple times to bring me back to my senses. "Let's begin, Yukino!" The Celestial Mage nodded when we both closed our eyes again. I felt our Magic's once again intertwine with each to form a great and powerful spell. The keys rose above us soon shooting up into the air as the Celestials showed themselves once again. Yukino and I opened our eyes and together stretched our arm out in front of the Eclipse Gate.

"Destroy the Gate!" We ordered as the Spirits flew together as one. Like a shower of destruction the Spirits did their most powerful attacks onto the Gate causing a cloud to cover it. Yukino's Magic depleted quickly when she fell into my chest. "Yukino!" I yelled holding her now. Our keys fell back to the ground and scattered like litter, and a moment later the Celestial Spirits vanished back to their Realm. I gently put Yukino on the ground to analyze how much damage was inflicted on the Gate. 'It must have been damaged. The Spirits used their most powerful attacks onto it. It has to be destroyed.' I told myself while slowly making my way to the Gate. With ease I pushed away the cloud dust to gasp in horror.

Not even a scratch was found on the metal. It was like it was never even touched! It wasn't possible! "How can this be!? The Celestial Spirits should have destroyed the Gate!" My hands went up to my hair as I felt my heart quicken in fear. If not even the Twelve Golden Keys can shatter the Eclipse Gate, then what can?

We can.

'No, I would rather the Gate stand than allow you two to even try to destroy it.' My thoughts spoke while I held my head in pain. Their voices speak to me at the same time like twins. Both so different yet the same.

Come now, Lucy. We already told you that only We can destroy the Eclipse Gate. You are only too frightened that We will trap you. Which you are right of course, but what other choice do you even have?

No. No there's always another way. I can find another way!

You have none. No one is strong enough. Only We are...so succumb to Our demand and allow Us to take command!

"Cub?" Gwen spoke as she put her hand on my shoulder. I glanced up at her in distraught. I felt like I was being tugged by limited choices. The Gate must be destroyed, but I can not use the Balanced Form. I'm not ready yet. I'm not strong enough to control them. "What do we do?" The Slayer said as her foggy blue eyes never wavered to look away. I clenched my jaw when I looked down. I knew there wasn't a choice in the matter, and I knew I could only be making matters worse. But what other choices were there for me to choose from?

I have to fall into the Balanced Form and destroy the Gate myself.

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Gray

Time was limited. I didn't realize how cornered we were until I felt my back hit the brick wall of a destroyed building. Juvia held me up with my arm slung over her while Wendy, MiraJane, and Levy fought off as many Dragonlings they could in order for us to continue moving forward. The pain was everywhere in my body that I had no choice but to clench my jaw to seize myself from gasping. "Please Gray-Sama, rest until the girls make an exit for us to quickly move through." The Water Mage said as her fogged eyes looked up at me.

"I should be helping them." I let out unaware of how depleted I felt. How my magic seemed to be missing in me, it was strange. I never feel this way unless I fight countless hours without a stop to rest. I have fought, but only for a stupid game that hasn't helped us since the Dragons have appeared. One of my eyes closed when I begin to sink to the ground. "Gray-Sama please keep standing. Juvia must move quickly if she is to get Gray-Sama out of this corner!" I exhaled from weariness. Despite the fact I could just sit here and not get up, Juvia was right. We had to get out of here and reach the guild before we all become dinner for the Dragonlings.

Juvia gasped. "There's an opening! Move now Gray-Sama!" Juvia shot left as I quickly mustered all of my strength to move my legs beside her. A yell escaped my lips when Juvia tightened her hold. "We're almost through Gray-Sama, just hold on for one more moment- GRAY LOOK OUT!" Never have I once heard Juvia called me out by my name. Just my name. There was panic in her voice when I felt her arms push me away from her. My world was slanting while my attention went in front of us. A Dragonling with its mouth open, and the bright beam escaping the Dragonling as it was flying at fast speeds in front of us. But Juvia moved me out of the way.

It was in front of her.

My body couldn't process quickly enough to cocoon Juvia around my ice. My eyes traced back to the blue-haired girl, and she was still looking at me with fear in her eyes. Fear that I was still in the way, that I would be the one to get hit. But I knew...I knew I wasn't going to be hit. Before I could even call her name...the laser went through her stomach...

Then through her shoulder....

Then through her hip....

And through her head....

All in the spam of a second, I witnessed what I once thought was an annoying Water Mage that was obsessed with me, died protecting me. All I could think of was her smile as she called for me. "Gray-Sama!" Her voice echoed like a distant memory I desperately reached out to grab. Blood rained around her body, and soon she fell like a limp doll being dropped. Then I felt my body hit the rubble street as her body did. A curling gasp took control of me. Tears sprung to life in my eyes watching her blood surround her pale figure. All my emotions came down on me at once like a typhoon. I was drowning helplessly sinking further and further. I waited for someone, anyone to grab my hand as I choked from my tears. There was no one...no one to save me from the demise I could have prevented. Eventually, I petrified scream escaped me.

"JUVIAAAA~~~!!!"

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Natsu

"You BASTARD!" I was on top of the Dragon that Rogue stood upon as he was working on possessing the Dragons. He seemed to think I wasted his time trying to achieve what I would not let him. Rogue only taunted me while narrowing his eyes. "Didn't I watch you fall to your death? Not even the Gods can stand your bickering. I am tired of playing this foolish game with you Natsu Dragneel." Rogue said with his teeth clenched. My body felt as if it were going to explode in rage. Everything in me wanted to burn Rogue alive. As long as he lived then Lucy was in peril.

"You are not touching my woman, Rogue. You will have to go over my dead body to do so." I muttered with my eyes narrowed low at him. The Shadow Dragon Slayer scoffed. "I believe I already did." He retorted with a villainous smirk. Not a moment later my fists ignited as I ran with all my might. "I'll end you!" I screamed when my fist impacted Rogue's cheek. Rogue flew to the neck of the Dragon when he chuckled. "Now that is a Dragon Slayer's Fist! Though I wish we had more time," Rogue raised his right hand as it became consumed by shadows. "I'm afraid our little meeting will be short." Rogue released his attack at me when I barely dodged by jumping over it and soon started running face-first at Rogue. I was picking up speed until Rogue smiled. "You never learn, Dragneel." Rogue leaned to the side, grabbing my collar and threw me off the Dragon.

Once again I felt gravity tugging me and pulling me down to the face of EarthLand. This time, I knew I wasn't going to make it. 'Lucy...' I thought when the impact struck and shattered every bone in my body.

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Ultear

I fought beside Meredy and Sterling as more Dragonlings approached us. My attention moved in the distance when I noticed the clock tower. It was past midnight, the smog of clouds covered the stars and moon from shining down. I focused back onto my attack when a cry of distress wailed. "Erza!" Jellal screamed bending down to pick her up. Sterling forgot his post and ran after them. "Commander!" He yelled when I witnessed a Dragonling jump behind him. I seized up as I tried to reach out for him, to call Sterling out by his name.

But it was too late. The Dragonling released its attack, hitting Sterling where his heart was. The Second Commander stopped moving. He put his hand over where his heart should be in confusion. I was mortified and angry that I could not warn him in time. I covered my mouth when Sterling fell to his knees and turned into sand, only leaving his armor and sword behind. Sterling...was gone.

Erza was dying. I knew Fairy Tail were losing their comrades one by one. Something must be done about it, and I knew how to prevent this. I clasped my hand over my chest before I looked down. I knew what must be done, and I knew the consequences. I glanced back as Meredy ran past the remains of Sterling and kneeled beside Jellal holding Erza. Blood escaped Ezra's lips as she coughed in pain. The wound that hit her abdomen was bleeding profoundly, there was no way she could survive. Unless I do something about it.

I ran the opposite direction moving to the clock tower where I can perform my spell. I reached a certain spot, knowing I wouldn't be seen and stopped by any monster or comrade. I fell to my knees, ready to perform the taboo spell: "Last Ages." If I can push time back before the Eclipse Gate opens, maybe one of the Fairy Tail mages will reach the Gate in time, and no one will die from this! 'It must work. It has to work!' I thought when a rune appeared beneath me. I felt my veins growing from the amount of magic coursing through me, and soon magic surrounding me, burning me inside out when a beacon of light burst out of my chest. I exerted my magic to rewind time as flashes of light overwhelmed me. The burning sensation never faded away, and the only way to relieve the pain was to scream.

The beacon vanished as if it was never there. My pulsating veins slowly returned back to normal as I was scorched almost to death. I fell on my stomach, tears pouring down my cheeks. 'I did it. I should have given them enough time.' My thoughts said very wearily. I blinked as my conscious was slipping. 'How much? How much time was given?' I looked up to the clock, when the cruel realization slammed down on me.

Only one minute was returned.

'No! No this can't be true! One minute...I-I've done nothing. No one, all of them, won't have a second chance. I couldn't save them!' My thoughts whispered when I felt myself turning to dust. I shed my last tears, knowing I did nothing to help my comrades.

Knowing, I couldn't save them...

~~~

What Ultear will never come to know, is that because of the one minute that she gave for her life:

Juvia went right, safely progressing on with her comrades.

Natsu didn't run to Rogue at that moment.

Jellal pulled Erza to safety, saving not only her but Sterling.

Ultear perished, never knowing of the many lives she saved.

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:')

As always...love you all!❤️