Hello, everyone. ♡ I've come to publish, again! c:  I was supposed to go to volleyball later on today, but now I'm not so sure.  You see, I'm starting to get a little sick.  I woke up this morning with a stomach ache, and just a few minutes ago I threw up. :c  So, I might be able to update....though I will most likely be sleeing if I stay. ^^;  So, yeah...  I dedicate this chapter to annimefreakxx. c:  This person is awesome!  I hope you all enjoy, and feedback is always appreciated!  Until next time, then~

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Vallen was furious.  How could his creation fail him?  Now that Natsu Dragneel had defeated the last obstacle Vallen was going to give to him, all that was left was for him to fight Salamander himself.  However, another thing was ticking at his mind.

He had another problem.

Lucy pulled at the chains on her ankles, tears on the corners of her eyes.  "Let me go!  I want to see Natsu!"

Lucy had multiple large injuries on her body, not just from the chains but from back in Earthland, during the fight with Loren and Lores.  Her clothes were ripped; her long blue sleeves shredded.  However, Lucy knew everything Natsu had done for her so far, from entering the dangerous realm to fighting all these obstacles.  And because she knew, Lucy was so overcome with emotions that she was surprised she wasn't full-on crying yet.  Natsu would do this, just to get her back?  The thought made her shake with emotions so vast, she couldn't contain it.

Vallen looked furious.  "I don't know how you broke free, but I guess I underestimated you, Spirit Summoner."  He grabbed Lucy's hair, pulling her ear to his mouth and whispering very darkly into it.  "But I won't let it happen again."

Letting go of Lucy, she instictively scootched back away from Vallen.  The chains that were tied to her ankles were short, and they disappeared into the darkness below.  Where Lucy was, there were no stars; no light.  Everything around her was dark.  The only thing light in here was herself; certainly not Vallen.  Lucy's body glowed, awhile Vallen's did not.  He seemed to blend into the darkness, which just made him more dangerous-looking.  His black cloak swished back and forth as he moved, seeming to also blend into their surroundings.

Lucy tried to build her courage.  "Natsu won't fail!  He'll defeat you, and we'll go home!"

Vallen glared at her over his shoulder.  "We'll see about that."

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"The bastard did it!"  Gray exclaimed, smirking widely.

Erza nodded, her face proud.  "Looks like he did.  And Happy got to him just fine, too."

Rose was looking at the screen, deep in thought.  Erza noticed this, and turned to her.

"Rose, what is it?"  She asked, her arms folded.

Rose sighed.  "You wanted to know how Vallen survived without his former self in Earthland, correct?"

They all nodded.

"Yes, we did."  Lores replied.  "I was mostly in thought about it, but I couldn't figure it out."

"Do you know, Rose?"  Loren asked quietly.

Rose nodded.  "A dark version can exist by itself and become the original if it kills its formal self.  So, in other words..."  Rose turned to look at them.  "...Vallen killed his Earthland self."

Shock filled everyone who was around her.

"W-What?"  Loren stuttered.

Rose stared at them all, showing she wasn't lying.

"Killing your former self?"  Gray repeated, disgusted.  "That sick bastard!"

"How awful..."  Erza replied, her face slightly angry.

Rose turned back to the screen. "I think I've known for a long time, but with jumping between realms, I've had a hard time keeping track."

There was a small moment of silence, then Erza spoke.  "All that's left is Vallen, and then Natsu can save Lucy.  Since we now know what Vallen did to his former self, I expect he's more dangerous than we thought."

Gray looked at Rose.  "Do you know what magic Vallen uses?"

Slowly, Rose nodded.  "It's a theory.  His been giving off the signs."

"Well then, what is it?"  Lores asked with impatience.

Rose's face tightened.  "Blood Abjuration."

"Blood..."  Gray started.

"...Abjuration?"  Erza finished.

"What kind of magic is that?"  Loren asked, glancing at her brother in confusion.

His face looked strained and at the same time, shocked.

"Lores, do you know what that is too?"  His sister asked, still confused.

Lores nodded.

"Put it simply: Vallen's magic is controlling blood."  Lores explained, and Rose nodded, showing that Lores indeed was right.

"He controls blood?"  Erza replied, stunned.  "How is that possible?"

"It's the most rare magic in the world."  Rose replied.  "Besides Vallen, only two other people are known to have possession of the ability for centuries."

"He's a monster..."  Gray replied, his teeth clenched.

Rose nodded.  "Natsu is in for a serious battle."

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Natsu was being carried by Happy, and they sailed across the dark and dull starry sky of Etoiles Noires quickly, the wind blowing Natsu's hair and clothes around everywhere.

"We're almost there!"  Natsu exclaimed.  "Vallen's scent is getting stronger!"

"Aye!"  Happy exclaimed.

Suddenly, a blow shot through the sky and through the air, slamming into Natsu's stomach.  When it hit Natsu, it exploded, but it looked...strange.  there was no visible attack, and Natsu felt like it came from inside him.  And when the attack hit him, it sounded like a gun shot.  Blood flew from Natsu's mouth as he was hit directly in the stomach, flying upwards even with Happy hanging onto him.

"Natsu!"  Happy exclaimed, and in a panic, decided to descend.

"What...was that?"  Natsu croaked, clutching onto his stomach.

When Happy dropped to the ground, Natsu wobbled for a second, but then regained his balance.  He rubbed the blood from his mouth, but it smeared.

"Are you okay, Natsu?"  Happy asked, floating next to his shoulder.

Natsu nodded, trying to rid himself of the dull ache that now resided in his stomach.  When it first hit him, Natsu felt like a million knives were stabbing him from the inside out.  Then, after a few moments of resounding pain, it went into a state of dull pain.

"Welcome,"  A voice replied darkly.

Natsu looked up, and saw Vallen residing in front of him, a good few feet away.  His arms were out wide in a "welcome" guesture, though his aura was anything but.

Natsu's expression instantly turned to one of disdain.  His eyes contracted to black slits of anger, and he clenched his teeth.  "Vallen."

Vallen sneered.  "It looks like you made it here.  To be honest, I didn't think you would."

Natsu continued to scowl at him.

After a few moments, Natsu finally spoke.  "You've got Lucy's scent all over you, and there's a faint scent of blood in the air."  Natsu's face shadowed.  "If you've touched Lucy, know I'll char your hands off!"  

Natsu's voice was low and rough; Happy had never seen Natsu so angrily passionate about someone before.

He'd never seen him so dark.

Vallen smirked like Natsu's threat was amusing.  "I'd like to see you try."

Natsu didn't think this was funny anymore.  He was facing one of the people he - currently - hated most.  Vallen had hurt Lucy too much; he could already tell.

Fury exploded in Natsu's chest, and he lit his hand on fire.  

"Let's go."  He replied simply.

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Natsu has finally confronted Vallen, and the ultimate battle begins!  Can Lucy free herself, or is it all up to Natsu?

Find out what happens next in Chapter 17: Natsu vs Vallen!