Sad piano-a Sad Goodbye

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~Lucy~

A void was slowly eating me within. As the thought of once again falling into the Balanced Form brought me fear and panic because I still know I am not ready to control my third form yet. But it was the only way I can stop the Dragons from ever coming through this time. If the Eclipse Gate is destroyed, then the Dragons, Future Rogue...and Future Natsu should never have existed if the Gate is gone.

And I will protect my Natsu from his sacrifice to save me and EarthLand.

I stood in front of the Gate with my hand hovering over the pristine metal of the Eclipse Gate, carefully not touching it. The fine details of the Eclipse Gate stuck out at me. The craftsmen that did this knew what they were doing, like painting a canvas on metal. If I could touch it without the Gate draining my magic, I would trace every line that I could touch. My eyes closed as I deeply inhaled for air. The air smelled of soot and brimstone. It was only darkness I could see in the sky.

I put my hand down and turned back at Gwen caring for Yukino. I tried to call for her, but it was only a whisper when my voice cracked. "Gwen." She didn't hear me, even with her Dragon Slayer hearing. I bit my lower lip as I knew how she would react to me wanting to do this. With so much power I need to use to destroy the Gate, Gwen will possibly have to severely injure me in order to pull me back from the Balanced Form. Possibly...kill me if it must come to that. I cleared the knot in my throat after rubbing my neck. "Gwen." I said this time louder for her to hear me.

"She's slowly waking up." Gwen replied watching Yukino rub her head. I moved to sit alongside Gwen when Yukino clenched her eyes. "Did we...destroy Eclipse Gate?" The Celestial Mage asked opening her eyes. I closed my eyes and shook my head. "No. Not even a scratch was inflicted on it." My answer made Yukino sit up. "What?! How is that possible? We opened all the Golden Keys for this to work!" I put my hand on Yukino's shoulder to calm her. "It's going to be alright, Yukino. You used most of your magic to help me with that spell. Rest for now."

"What are we to do now?" Yukino asked as she leaned back down. I realized my fists were clenched the entire time. My fingernails dug into my palm when I felt blood surfacing my skin. I wiped my hands on my dirty clothes and looked at Gwen. "No Yukino. When you have enough strength, you are to go and find Sabertooth. I'm sure one of my comrades by now has taught your Guild a lesson. Gwen and I will stay here, so we can work on destroying Eclipse Gate." Yukino nodded with hope in her guild. "Then I must go now. While I'm still strong enough to stay awake I'll move quickly and quietly through the city." Gwen stood up and turned away. I heard the sound of keys being picked up one by one until she returned with twelve Celestial Keys. Gwen gave Yukino her two Golden Keys back, and the rest to me. "Then you'll need that if you come across danger. Take care of yourself Yukino." The white-haired mage took her keys. "Thank you for saving me from my imprisonment." She said back to Gwen. Yukino looked at me when she stood on her feet. "Until next time, Lucy."

Yukino turned, shuffling through the rubble and small fires that surrounded us. When Yukino was out of sight, I lost my composure. I fell onto my knees, as my hands were holding my chest. Gasps broke out of me until I realized I was beginning to cry. Gwen quickly moved to my side. "What's wrong Cub! Are you hurt?!" I shook my head as I continued to weep. "No, no Gwen I'm alright." The Slayer pulled my face up for her to see. "Then what's wrong?" Gwen asked as she was clearly concerned for my well being. Her foggy blue eyes stared down at me, reading me like a book. "I-I have to..." I whispered when I bit my lower lip. My head pulled itself down when Gwen forcefully kept my face up. "Have to what Lucy!"

"I have to change into the Balanced Form!" My voice screamed when the pit in my stomach grew far worse. My mentor became stiff when her eyes widened in shock. "Wh-Why do you say that?" Gwen inquired when she gently released my face from her hands. My attention was pulled to the ground. The emptiness grew worse as it seized hold of me. I roughly wiped my eyes to stop crying, but the more I tried to stop the more bloodstained tears streamed down my cheeks. "Because I am the only one that can destroy the Eclipse Gate. It's my burden to bear Gwen. And from what Future Rogue said...I fear once I become Balanced I will lose control. The light, Gwen. The light Future Natsu saw, what Rogue witnessed. I have to do this...and I ask you to do whatever you must in order to stop me from destroying everything."

Gwen slowly stood up, with her hand over her mouth as she was in deep thought. I stood alongside Gwen and put my hand on her shoulder. "It's the only alternative we have left Gwen. And I ask you not as a friend, but as your ally, to do whatever needs to be done so I don't cause the light to hurt my loved ones. That includes you!" Gwen put her hand out as she was turned away from me. "Lucy," She whispered. With time Gwen faced me again. Her face was very calm, passive as if she already knew what must be done. "do you remember when I told you that I would help you get through this war? Not the war here, but the war that is happening inside of you?"

"Gwen this isn't the time-" Gwen put her finger up signaling me to stop talking. Her jaw clenched as she swallowed her throat. "That time has come. I can finally...finally, do what I was meant to the moment I accepted Solantir's gift." The Dragon Slayer took a few steps until she was in front of me, and pulled my hands into her hands. "You understand the reason why you are no longer a Half-Soul is that you and I share our soul. Just like Pops and I share our soul, you and I to share. We've been connected, Lucy."

"I already know this Gwen." My voice said as I was as meek as a mouse. The girl smiled and nodded. "Yes. Now, it's time I free you from our bond, and let you form a new one." Confusion pummeled me. "A new bond, but with whom?" Gwen eyed away, and I watched a single tear stroll down her rosy cheeks. My heart clenched because this was the first time I have ever seen Gwen...cry. "Gwen...what's happening?" Gwen returned her attention to me, and once again laughed heartily. "Lucy...I'm breaking Solantir's bond... so that he can shift into you and mend your spirit with his."

"...What?"

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Natsu

Blood dripped from my chin when Rogue was kneeling from our battle. His black, scarred face showed before me as he spat blood from his mouth. "You will destroy this world, all for love!? I have lost EVERYTHING! And you still, decide to fight against me!?" Rogue stood back up, but he struggled for a moment to stand upright. "Why do you continue fighting?! You know in your heart that she is a vile beast! Why, do you give your heart to her when she will only shatter it!?"

"Because Lucy would never do that!" I exclaimed with the scales of my father still protecting me even after the hours of this endless battle. "I love her too much for her to suffer any longer! You will never realize that she has the purest, and sweetest heart I have ever seen in my life! Luce loves her Spirits, she loves her comrades!" Again, a fire ignited in my fists as it devoured me. "And she loves ME! And I'll condemn any living person to Hell if they even lay a hand on her!"

"SHE WILL KILL US ALL~~!!!" Rogue wailed when the shadows propelled him at high force. I put one of my feet back, readying myself for the final blow. A stern, aggressive face was all Rogue shall ever see again. With one huff, I chuckled. "Not if I can stop it." Rogue gasped from my answer. A roar escaped my lungs when I threw my Fire Dragon's Iron Fist, slamming my punch into Rogue's chest. Rogue flew far and landed on his back as I jumped high into the air. "FIRE DRAGON'S..." I clasped my hands together in a ball and dived where Rogue was lying helplessly. "BRILLIANT FLAME!" I made an impact on Rogue's stomach, causing an explosion to happen between me and the Shadow Dragon Slayer.

The Dragon we rode on howled in pain when his left wing was severely burned. The Dragon lost its ability to fly.

We were falling from the sky.

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~Lucy~

"No...No, you can't do that Gwen! If you lose Solantir's spirit, what would that do to you?!" Gwen closed her eyes as she smiled. "I know a spell, one that is very powerful and can be used only once. But, because this spell is so powerful, it can be life-threatening to the one that performs it. However, I know that if I perform this unspeakable spell then I know your life can be spared." I ran to Gwen, hugging her from behind as I tightened my hold. "You can't do it, Gwen! I'm telling you that I won't allow this! I have to be the one to destroy Eclipse Gate! I have to make this sacrifice so my family lives! Gwen you're my family too! I can't lose you too!" Gwen did nothing but only shake her head. "It's not up for discussion Lucy. We're out of time, and I am performing this spell. It has been my destiny the moment Solantir-"

"SCREW DESTINY!" The voices of the Dark One and Light Goddess spoke. I felt the tears of blood gushing down my face when I made Gwen look at me. "I CAN'T LOSE ANOTHER PERSON IN MY LIFE! NO MORE SACRIFICES! NO MORE DYING! JUST LET ME BE THE ONE TO DO THIS! LET ME PROTECT YOU AND MY FAMILY!" Gwen kept on to smiling. Though she was very small, she somehow managed to place a kiss upon my cheek before cradling my hands. "You have always made me proud Lucy. I will never regret the day I met you and trained you like my own little Cub." I felt Gwen push a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I love you, Lucy, always remember that no matter what."

"Gwen no!..." I sobbed when a cold sensation washed over me. I watched the small girl take big steps back as her tears streamed down her face like raindrops. "Just look away, Lucy. It'll be done before you know it. Just don't run after me, don't stop me from my fate." A white glow grew around Gwen when the wind around us picked up. I put my arms up to protect my face as the light continued to grow brighter and brighter. Though the light may have burned my retinas, I witnessed Gwen becoming the light itself. She was no longer human when her figure was growing bigger. I took several steps back as she was taking in her new form. I had to stop her! "DON'T DO IT GWEEEN~~!" Before I was able to touch her, the wind exploded hurling me back a couple of yards.

My ears were ringing as I moaned in pain from the impact. I felt a warm liquid trailing down my face when I already knew it was blood. I used my arm to wipe the blood away so I can see Gwen. I was on all fours, wishing for air that didn't hold dust. "GWEN!!!" I cried finally rubbing the blood out of my eyes. When I pulled my head up, my breath was taken away from me. Who stood in front of me was no longer human. There was now a creature taller than any beast I have ever laid my eyes upon. White, dazzling fur covered its entire slender body excluding the wings. The wings were feathers, pristine white as it had a hint of stardust lightly powered. Ears that were long tucked behind the head as horns stuck out behind it. But I knew who the creature was because the eyes were a foggy blue just like her adopted father's eyes. Gwen was no longer human.

Gwen was now a Dragon.

"G-Gwen..." It was the only name I could mutter. Though I've been with Gwen for months now she has never told me about this unspeakable spell to me before. I understood why now. This spell changes your physique, mind, and magical capacity. This spell would not only give someone Magic Exhaust... it will take the person's life too. Before I knew what I was doing I felt my wings stretched out behind me. I flew even with the hectic wind around me to stop Gwen from using her one attack. "DON'T DO IT~~!!!" I pleaded when Gwen stances herself in front of the Gate. Her foggy eyes were filled with determination, as her snarl showed her large great teeth. She inhaled when her chest showed a brightness inside of her. My wings flapped faster to reach her when I eventually grabbed her large front foot. "Please! Please, I can't go through this again! I can't lose someone! Not you Gwen!"

Please...not the premonition. Don't let it be true...I looked up to Gwen's eyes as they stared down at me. A moment later, they were closed. "For you Lucy, my sacrifice is worth saving you and the Five Realms." I held on tightly, making sure I don't let go. This wasn't Natsu that I'm about to lost. It was never Natsu at all.
It was Gwen.

I huddled close, for I knew the moment she released her fire breath...Gwen would be dead. A scream ruptured out of me until I heard Gwen's roar echo the sky. Her fire breath escaped her mouth showing a beautiful white flame destroying and melting the Eclipse Gate. The Gate shattered into thousands of pieces after Gwen's fire breath. I continued to wail in agony until it was over. I never let go of her talon because of how terrified I was.

When the roar was finished, there was only silence. I hiccuped from the amount of crying I have done when I felt her hand disappearing. I opened my eyes and desperately tried to reach for it as the Dragon grew smaller, opposite of what Gwen did the first time. Foot by foot the being of light dimmed until the Dragon Slayer returned to her normal size. I pulled myself up from kneeling looking around a couple of yards away from me. Gwen was in a fetal position, her clothes were torn close to shreds. I sprinted and skidded until I picked her up in my arms. I noticed wrinkles at the edge of the small girl's eyes. With force, I shook her to wake up. "Gwen! GWEN!" I shouted when I heard her. She groaned like she was waking up from a nap.

I felt immediate relief. Maybe, maybe she was wrong about the spell! Maybe she'll be okay after all! "It's going to be okay. We're going to get you medical attention." I uttered while holding her close to me. Gwen just shook her head...opening her eyes for me to finally see. Gwen's eyes were no longer foggy.

They were now crystal blue. "I...passed him onto you, Lucy. Pops will take," Gwen released a troublesome cough. "care of you now..." As seconds went by Gwen was aging. I could only sit there and watch. I couldn't do anything for her at that point. Gwen was leaving me...just like everyone else. "Don't go..." I begged when Gwen was now an old woman. "Please don't leave me, Gwen..." The old woman's hand placed itself over mine. She didn't shed any tears but only smiled as she gazed into my eyes. "I love you Pops." Gwen's feet we're turning into dust. "I love you Fairy Tail." It was now at her waist. "And I love you, Lucy Heartfilia. I will always be with you. Please, live, for your family."

Gwen closed her eyes...and withered with the rest of her scattered dust. All that was left of her was the clothes she wore. Hesitantly, I reached for the clothes and pulled them into my chest. A silent gasp was trapped inside of me. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't even move. I was a hostage in my own body. I inhaled sharply and gazed into the sky.

Then the scream tore out of me, and all I could see was white.

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...Did you like it?☺️ I hope so, I really worked hard on this chapter. I can't wait for the other chapters to come...

As always Lovelies...love you all!❤️