Hello again, everyone!  Here is the last chapter for tonight, hehe! ^^;  I did all of this earlier today, but needed to edit it and then was finally able to update, which is now!♡  I hope you all enjoy, ne?  Well, I dedicate this chapter to truth000!  She's a great writer, and I envy her writing skills. ;)  Fan her if you haven't already!!♥  Sorry if this one is a little short, btw!  Feedback is, as always, incredibly appreciated!!  I love you all, and I hope you like this chapter!!  Until next time,

{я у - ¢ н α и}♡

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"You!"  Lucy exclaimed, fear and shock coating her voice.

Dark Lucy smirked.  "I can very easily just..slip."

"Wendy!"  Carla exclaimed, pulling her up.

"I'm fine, Carla."  Wendy reasurred, determination on her face.  She walked to Lucy's side.  "Looks like we will have to fight her, Lucy."

Lucy stared at her other self with confliction, her eyes shaking. Does she control dark versions of my keys?!  Does she even have Celestial Spirit powers if she's evil?!

"Y-Yeah.."  Lucy replied, shaking.  What does she have planned for me?

Before Lucy could think, she was slammed into by a wall of black magic, and she went flying through the air with a cry.

"Lucy!"  Wendy exclaimed, a bead of sweat falling down her forehead in fear.

Lucy coughed, pulling herself up to her knees.  "W-What kind of magic is that..?"

Dark Lucy laughed.  "When I was brought here, Master Coven gave me these powers."

"What?"  Wendy replied, stunned.

"I gave up the powers of spirits to serve Daronyt."

"Y-You gave all of them up..?!"  Lucy murmured, horror in her eyes.  "How could you do such a thing?!"

Black magic swirled around Dark Lucy's ankles, lifting her cloak.  Lucy gasped when she saw the unfamiliar clothes she was wearing underneath.

"It was for power."  Dark Lucy's voice swooned, charging for Lucy automatically.

Thinking quickly, Lucy pulled out her Etoile Fleuve, activating it and slamming it against Dark Lucy's body.  Dark Lucy was sent slamming into the wall, the palm of her hands pressed up against the cold stone.  Her eyes flashed red, causing Lucy to gasp with surprise and lose her focus for a tenth of a second.  But that was all Dark Lucy needed, because she grabbed ahold of Lucy's Etoile Fleuve and physically broke it.

Lucy gasped in shock.

Small pieces of blue elements from Lucy's whip floated down to the ground like stars, lighting up her face along with Wendy and Carla's.  It returned to her original whip with a flash of light, and Lucy exclaimed loudly as Dark Lucy zeroed in on her and prepared to strike.

"Sky Dragon's Roar!"

Dark Lucy's eyes widened as she was in mid-air, her brown cloak floating behind her as she turned her head and saw the force of air head straight for her as if in slow motion.  It slammed into her body, making her fly back and skid across the dirt ground.

"I'm still here!"  Wendy exclaimed, pumping both fists down to her sides determidly.

"Thanks for the save, Wendy!"  Lucy exclaimed, gratefullness along with relief on her face.

"You should meet your dark version, Wendy."  Dark Lucy replied, her voice like a tempting snake.  "You would be such a sweet victim."

"Don't listen to her, Wendy!"  Carla exclaimed, glaring at the Dark Lucy.  "She's just trying to scare you!"

Lucy stepped in front of her friend protectively.  "That's right!"

I can't believe this is even a form of me!  Lucy thought, her face strained and sweat dripping down her brow.

"Lucy.."  Wendy murmured, sympathy in her eyes.

We have to slow her down somehow...  Lucy thought to herself, looking around carefully.  She noticed the ceiling.  Maybe...

Her eyes jerked wide, an idea popping into her head.  That's it!

"Wendy!"  She whispered, telling Wendy her plan out of range of Dark Lucy's ears.  However, she did not turn away from her.

"Got it?"  She asked, and Wendy nodded.

"Let's do it!"  She whispered with determination.

Lucy got ready.  "Wendy, go get Natsu and the others!"  She exclaimed, her voice rising slightly so Dark Lucy could hear.

"But Lucy!"  Wendy started, doing good so far.  "I want to help!"

"Just go, Wendy!"  Lucy exclaimed, real pleading in her voice.

After a minute, Wendy nodded, eyeing Dark Lucy as she ran into the shadows.

"Plan on taking me on by yourself, huh?"  Dark Lucy asked, smirking with evilness in her eyes.

"You're baisically me, aren't you? I can take you."

"It's too bad I know all your weak points and strategies."  Lucy's other version replied.

This time, Lucy smiled, surprising the dark Lucy.  "Not quite."

"Sky Dragon's Roar!"

A typhoon of air swirled to the ceiling above Dark Lucy, making it crack and start to collapse.

"What?!" Dark Lucy exclaimed, anger and surprise spreading across her face.

She was covered in the rock avalanche with a loud boom.

"Way to go, Wendy!"  Lucy exclaimed, and Wendy appeared from the shadows smiling happily.

"Let's hurry, Lucy!"  Carla exclaimed, and she nodded.

They turned and started running again.

Now I'll be able to complete the knowledge.  Lucy thought, her determination making her go faster.

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Stay tuned for the next chapter, Chapter 26: The Full Dynamism of Knowledge!