A/N: Episode 185.

Enjoy!

edited on december 13th, 2024 @ 10:41pm

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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚁𝚃𝚈-𝚃𝚆𝙾,
𝓔𝚁𝚉𝙰 𝚅𝚂. 𝙺𝙰𝙶𝚄𝚁𝙰.

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𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗧 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗨𝗘𝗟 and Future Lucy in shock, lost for words. "Wha...?!" Natsu exclaimed while Samuel and Lucy blinked in shock.

"Another Lucy and Samuel?!" Mira mumbled. 

"W-What does this mean?" Wendy asked.

"You're not... Gemini, right?" Yukino questioned.

"Or from Edolas or something like that?" Happy added.

"You already know about Eclipse, the time-travel portal, right?" Future Lucy asked.

"Eclipse? Don't tell me..." Lily trailed off.

"You both used Eclipse..." Carla started to say.

"... to come from the future." Future Lucy finished as Natsu, Lucy, and Samuel both exclaimed in shock.

"This country is about to..." Future Samuel didn't get to finish what he was saying as both him and Future Lucy suddenly collapsed sideways.

Natsu rushed up to the both of them. "Hey!"

"A-Are you okay?!"

"It looks like they fainted. They're both still breathing."

"What's this about?!" Happy questioned.

"I have no idea." Lily replied.

Mira turned to look at Lucy and Samuel. "Lucy... Samuel..." She muttered.

"This is seriously creeping me out. Why would we...?" Samuel wondered out loud.

Natsu picked up both Future Lucy and Future Samuel. "Anyway, we can't leave them here. We'll take this Lucy and Samuel with us, too." He stated.

"Let's leave the palace and shoot off a flare." Yukino suggested.

"Right. It'll let them know Lucy-san was successfully rescued." Wendy agreed.

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"But I don't understand. To open the Eclipse Portal, don't you need the power of a Celestial Spirit Wizard?" Darton asked. "So dropping those two into Hell Palace... How does that make sense?"

"Good question. At the time, I already had the 12 Keys. I acted rashly." Hisui replied.

"But they got those 12 Keys back. So how do you intend to open the Eclipse Portal, Princess?" Darton questioned.

"I have no more need of the keys."

"No more need? What do you mean?"

"I used the 12 Keys yesterday to unlock Eclipse. Now I just need a human's hands to open the portal." Hisui explained.

"And that human will bear the responsibility of changing the future of the human race." Darton argued.

"I can't do it alone. That's why I wanted your blessing... and Arcadios to really be here. Whether I open the Portal or not depends on the results of the Grand Magic Games. Right now, let's just observe the tournament." Hisui said.

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Minerva smirked. "Let Millianna go." Kagura ordered.

"I'm going to give you a battle worthy of a king." Minerva said.

Kagura got into a fighting stance. "I'm not going to say it again. Free my comrade while you still live." She threatened.

"If you want her, come and get her." Minerva challenged.

Kagura had a dark look in her eyes before she charged forward in front of Minerva. "Incredible speed!" Erza praised.

"You'll be the second tiger that I devour." Kagura claimed, referring to her battle with Yukino.

"I hope I taste better than the last one." Minerva said.

Minerva soon traded spots with Erza, shocking both of the swordswomen as Erza blocked Kagura's attack.

"W-What happened?!" Makarov questioned.

"I don't understand..." Arana mumbled.

"What happened?" Beth asked.

"Maybe..." Risley trailed off.

"They switched places?" Kagura thought.

"She switched places with me?!" Erza realized.

"You two fight it out. I'll take on the victor." Minerva told them.

"You're a pretty pathetic king, considering you interrupted us in the first place."

"A king moves her pawns according to her own strategy." Minerva said. "Consider it an honor. I acknowledge that I can't take you both on. I admit that I underestimated you. A king must win, no matter what the circumstances are."

"Give me back Millianna!" Erza yelled.

"Don't you... Don't you dare..." Kagura shoves Erza back. "... pretend to be her friend!"

"And it seems you have a great deal to talk about. Pardon the intrusion." Minerva said as she made Millianna disappear.

"I accept the conditions! But release Millianna!" Kagura demanded.

Minerva only chuckled before disappearing as well.

"She really got the jump on us, eh?" Erza questioned.

"Shut your mouth." Kagura turned to glare at her. "I'm going to cut you down, as well as the tiger woman."

"Things have gotten complicated, but what do you make of it, Yajima-san?" Chapati questioned.

Yajima hummed. "Well, the rules don't really apply to this situation. It falls into the gray area of strategy." He replied.

"What?! But then what'll become of Millianna?!" Beth asked.

"It's frustrating not being able to do anything but watch." Arana claimed.

"It can't be helped." Risley said, opening her eyes. "Kagura, saving Millianna is up to you!"

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Gajeel was walking through a corridor. "Dammit! The first master's strategy has become a shambles. But where'd it go wrong?" He asked himself.

Mavis was still moping as her fingers were fidgeting. "Come on, don't worry about it, First Master." Romeo tried to cheer her up.

"No matter how many times I recalculate, they're not supposed to have a three-way battle." Mavis said.

Takashi noticed the worried look on Levy's face. "What's wrong, Levy-san?" He questioned.

"Oh... I was wondering if he'd be all right." Levy responded, looking at the Lacrima vision that showed Gajeel.

"Gajeel-san's pretty strong. Plus, he's a Dragon Slayer like Natsu. You have nothing to worry about." Takashi reassured.

"Yeah..." Levy agreed. "Good luck, Gajeel."

Gajeel turns around, seeing Rogue behind him. "Jeez. You're a pest, too." He commented before smirking. "I'm not as nice as the Salamander, though, so be prepared."

"And now we've got the Iron Dragon versus the Shadow Dragon!" Chapati announced.

"Rogue..." Frosch spoke in worry.

Orga was covered in black lightning as he faced Laxus. "This should also be an interesting match-up." Yajima said.

"We finally meet, Laxus." Orga commented.

"Black lightning, eh?" Laxus questioned.

"You've already realized it, haven't you? I'm the Lightning God Slayer." Orga said.

"You may be able to kill a god, but I don't know about a fairy." Laxus claimed as yellow lightning surrounded him.

"Wow! The remaining members are all pairing up to duel!" Chapati announced.

"Come to think of it though, where's Sting-kun?" Yajima asked.

"Well... He can't be picked up by the Lacrima Vision cameras." Chapati replied.

"Everyone... Do your best so we can get Lector back." Frosch said, watching the Lacrima screen.

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"I just can't imagine it. It'll really turn out like this supposedly future person said? I find it hard to believe." Darton stated as he was next to Hisui, who was sitting in a chair.

"It's like I told you. That's why it's an 'unbelievable outcome.'" Hisui said.

Sting was alone, sitting on a ledge and hidden away from the cameras. "That's fighting dirty, my lady." He commented before chuckling to himself. "But whatever. Everyone can do what they want. I've come up with a scenario that'll give us a brilliant victory. Watch me, Lector."

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Far away from the stadium . . .

Jellal, Ultear, and Meredy were gathered together. "We made a grave error, while at the same time got locked into an inescapbale destiny." Jellal stated.

"If everything the Future Samuel said is true..." Meredy started to say.

"... this country will be destroyed tomorrow." Ultear finished. "Jellal..."

"But destroyed...?!" Meredy said.

"I guess it's still clinging to me... The sin of destruction..." Ultear claimed. "I know a lifetime isn't enough to make up for them."

"But how about we at least evacuate everyone?" Meredy suggested.

"It'll cause a panic." Ultear said.

"But still..." Meredy began to protest.

"Wait." The two women turned towards Jellal. "There's no guarantee that it's all true." Jellal claimed.

"Huh?"

"What do you mean?" Meredy asked.

"Something about his story... Something doesn't add up. Something..." Jellal trailed off.

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Natsu's group was walking through a darkened hallway. "It's just weird!" Natsu commented.

"What's weird?" Lucy asked.

"This Lucy and Samuel are lighter than you two!" Natsu replied as Lucy and Samuel both look at him in disbelief.

"We don't need comments like that!" Lucy informed.

"That was uncalled for, Natsu-san!" Samuel added.

"They both probably lost weight from all their hardships." Happy claimed, making a good point.

"So the Future Lucy is gonna have success with a diet..."

"Enough!"

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Erza and Kagura had a stare-down. "Looks like the time has come to settle up." Erza stated.

"I'm serious about this." Kagura informed.

"That's what I'm hoping for!" Erza replied.

The two of them clashed their swords together. Kagura's strength sent Erza back a few feet. Erza then changed into her Heaven's Wheel Armor.

"Heaven's Wheel!" Erza slashes at Kagura. "Pentagram Sword!"

Kagura flew up into the air. "Archenemy!" Kagura charged down. "Strong form!"

"Slashing form!" Kagura called out next as Erza requipped once more.

"Adamantine Armor!" She shouted. However, Kagura easily slashed at her shield.

"Are you for real?!" Romeo exclaimed. "That armor even withstood Jupiter!"

"And she hasn't even unsheathed her sword!" Takashi added.

"She's strong..." Makarov commented as both Erza and Kagura were falling down.

"Not enough yet?" Kagura asked.

"Flight! Sonic Claw!" Erza changed into her Flight Armor. Kagura was able to attack her back.

"She was struck instead!" Levy exclaimed.

"What?!" Lisanna questioned.

Erza crashed to the ground as Kagura landed on her feet. "She's stronger than Erza?! Impossible!" Makarov said.

"I didn't predict this, either." Mavis stated.

Erza was struggling to get up as she was back in her normal clothing. "She sure is some kind of strong! Mermaid Heel's Kagura! Erza, who slew 100 monsters, is overwhelmed!" Chapati announced.

"I'm surprised. I didn't know there was anyone as strong as you here..." Erza struggled to catch her breath. "That strength... Does it steam from your grudge against Jellal?"

Kagura gritted her teeth before she walked forward, kicking Erza in her stomach and sending her flying. "I don't care what kind of grudge you have against Jellal... but Millianna's started walking towards the future, so leave her out of it!" She said.

"It's her will." Kagura said before sending Erza back more with her sword as Erza crashed into a pillar. "And my will is the same. I'm going to kill Jellal."

"What happened with him?" Erza questioned.

"You know that man as well as I do. Jellal murdered Simon... my big brother!" Kagura revealed as Erza widened her eyes.

"Simon's... younger sister?!" She repeated in her head.

"We were poor... but happy. However, that happiness suddenly came to an end... with the child hunters." Kagura continued. "I escaped, and searched for my brother for years. And then, I met Millianna."

"Simon... Actually, Simon was..." A younger Millianna started to say.

"She told me about my brother's heroic suffering and death. After years of abuse and being stripped of his freedom, he was murdered by Jellal. Everything in front of me went black." Kagura thrusted her sword forward. "And I made a new vow. To unsheathe this sword only when it was time to slay Jellal, my brother's enemy."

Erza thinks back to all her childhood friends from the Tower of Heaven. "Millianna wasn't there then." Erza spoke up, catching Kagura's attention. "It was only me, Jellal, Natsu, and Simon."

"You two together, shatter it!" Jellal exclaimed.

"Erza, move!" Natsu shouted at her.

"Don't worry about anything! I'll protect you!"

"Don't!"

"Heavenly Body Magic! Altairis!" Jellal threw the black orb at Erza.

"Erza!" Natsu screamed.

However, the spell hit Simon instead — who stood in front of Erza. "Simon...?" Erza questioned.

"Erza..." Simon muttered, collapsing to the ground.

"Simon!"

"I'm glad... I wanted to... be helpful to you... someti..."

"Okay! I got it, so don't talk anymore!" Erza told him.

Simon touched Erza's cheek with his hand. "You were... always... so kind... so kind..." A tear fell from Simon's eye. "I loved you..."

Simon's hand soon dropped from her face as Erza let out a cry of pain.

"True, Jellal may be at fault for Simon's death... but Jellal didn't kill him. It was me." Erza confessed, a tear slipping from her eye.

Kagura widened her eyes. "You would go that far to cover for Jellal?" She asked.

"No. It's the truth. My weakness... killed Simon." Erza responded.

Kagura's entire body was shaking, gripping tightly onto her sword. "Kagura!" Arana shouted.

"What are you...?!" Beth trailed off.

"You mustn't draw that sword!" Risley warned.

Kagura gritted her teeth as she closed her eyes.

"Kagura..."

Kagura unsheathed her sword, causing a bright light to show.

"I'm sorry!" Erza apologized.

Blood soon splattered on the ground.

Somewhere else, Jellal was walking with Ultear and Meredy, when he suddenly turned around.

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A/N: Another chapter is finished! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 2077 words.