~Natsu~

It was stagnate, like a pond that hasn't been touched in decades, as the air around me was still in place. There was a devoid of colors where I stood alone. Only shades of grey and frozen in time as I glanced around me. There was no life, nothing or anything. The only colors I could see was myself; my olive toned skin and outfit that I was able to see. My hair was still the shade of salmon, and my eyes the color of onyx stone. Everything else was a stale, monotone grey.

"Find her."

I wooshed my head to see who whispered into my ear only to find no one there. "Who said that?" I said peering into the lifeless trees that held giant roots below them. The floating islands above me ever so gently fell, slow like a feather, to where the center of gravity was. The way this world appeared was imaginary, and yet I somehow felt connected to this unknown terrain to which I've never even seen before. "Natsu, you only hold two days left before she is lost forever. Search for her, and you will be able to find the answers you ever-so seek." I faced forward and commenced to a slowly dragged pace to find who I was searching for. The world was too still to be even real, and with every touch, my hand felt slipped through my fingers as though it wasn't even there. The bare wood of one tree wasn't real; the sensation of moss was left amiss. Nothing seemed to be right wherever here was.

I followed a poorly made path that made me reach a scattered area of ruins. Whatever this place was, it was long gone. I trailed my eyes onward to find more tree roots that reached the sky. Whereas all the floating islands fell, this one, in particular, seemed to stay afloat of what would have been drowning in an ocean of clouds. Instinctively, I began to climb the large roots to search this floating island. It was the tug that made me want to pursue after the island and to find its wondrous secrets. But, was it a secret? Somehow, deep down, I already knew what I would find. Not even a what, but a who for that matter. She would be there. I knew that she would be there waiting for me.

Lucy was up there.

I teetered against gravity and the strength of my hands from falling back to the leveled ground. The sky, which was also a placid colored grey, showed what appeared to hold planets; and between this world and the others was a veil of shadows. It kept secrets of its own unwillingly ready to open for show. I pressed on, climbing further up to reach the floating island. Sweat slid behind my neck down to my back whilst I clenched my muscles that burned. It was a struggle to maneuver myself along with the tree roots that bend and twist in different ways. When I thought I would never be able to find the end of this tiring climbing, I felt the soft patches of grass within the tips of my fingers. I drew a breath before jumping on top of the island exhaling loudly to catch my breath after the trouble climb. I felt so weak, and beyond ill to move any further. My heart strained while my head pulsated like a hammer bashing against an iron anvil. The tug was powerful that my eyes trailed until I could see an unmoving figure that gazed beyond this realm. She was there, standing before me with no intention of looking at me. I reached my arm out, begging myself to at least touch her. "Lucy..." I pleaded with my voice strained. Lucy's body didn't even twitch to the sound of my voice. "I-I don't have much time left. We don't have enough time! Please, help me and grab my hand." My hand was shaking beyond control. I was so close only to be teased by these last few yards between us. Lucy eventually turned her head in my direction. There was no smile nor even joy on her reflection. I could only see the eyes of the Light Goddess and Dark One. Lucy's hair was down, her clothes being the dress attire of the Light Goddess, but her left arm showed the veins of the Dark One. Without her angelic wings, I could see her open back carrying the scars she was inflicted by the council. They were bleeding like the day she received them; blood staining the long length skirt that reached her feet. "Why are you here?" She asked with no emotion in her voice. I bit my cheek to prevent the pain of my heart from growing even worse. "To bring you back home. I told you I would bring you home."

Lucy locked her eyes onto mine. I couldn't find anything to resemble my Lucy to this one before me. This Lucy in front of me held the woman I love face, but she wasn't Lucy at all. "You silly fool," She whispered returning her gaze to where it was beforehand. "You can't bring back what's already been lost." Confusion overwhelmed me. "What?" The island suddenly began to shake and tremble. Beneath where I was lying the ground was being torn apart as if an earthquake was causing this. Pieces of the island fell as the roots of the tree were being torn. "NO!" I used the rest of my energy to stand on my feet and chased after Lucy. The ground splintered and dipped where my feet were running. Right before I clasped Lucy's wrist, the ground gave out, and I was suddenly falling to impending doom. Lucy vanished before my very eyes when I knew it was only me that would greet the leveled surface. Being only seconds away from my imminent death I could only think of the last thing Lucy said. 'You can't bring back what's already been lost...' There was no time left for me when my back struck the ground.

~~~

"Get up." Someone kicked my leg until I began to stir. The tall figure above me had his sleeves rolled up with a menacing frown. "Like last time, I don't care if you're exhausted or not. Get up and continue our spar match."

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" I asked when Hades grinned. "Only a little." Hades and I have been sparring with each other every moment we can. The only way I can come in contact with Solantir's power is when I'm in a heated battle. There have been numerous times I've clicked with the first Dragon's magic, and after every attempt, I try to open a portal I pass out due to fatigue. My comrades keep it to where Hades and I won't kill each other, or at least where the Bringer won't kill me, whilst the two of us go hand to hand combat. Hades extended his hand out for me to reach. "On your feet, Natsu. This has to be the one where we reach the Fifth Realm."

"How can it be this one Hades? Every time I'm close I go unconscious due to my soul being overwhelmed." My fists clenched with power. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to even open the portal. It's as if I'm not even able to open a gateway. Like, someone is stopping me from even attempting!" Hades listened with intent eyes. "That person Natsu, is you. You don't believe in yourself. Just because my faith is no longer towards you doesn't me I don't believe you can do this. You can, Natsu. I've seen it with my own eyes that you can pass through the Fifth Realm. Do not be afraid of the spiritual powers of Solantir. Embrace it." I had to look away from his intense irises. "But, to wield Solantir's power...I can still feel the burns that have scarred my soul. I've tried to ignore it for so long to focus on Lucy, but now it's all I can see every time I use the great Dragon's magic. No, I've failed Lucy once more. I can't even surpass this." A gentle, soothing feeling overcame me. "It's not your fault," Solantir whispered to me. "You hold fear within my magic, for it had seared your soul. Lucy has healed you, but the memory of such pain can still stay even over time. You are strong enough to pass through my Realm. There have been so many times that you've almost succeeded, and yet your fear of my soul fire has made you reluctant to push further."

Hades's crossed his arms. "What did he say?" He asked when I returned my eyes to him. "I'm-...He's saying I'm scared of his magic. To be honest, I think he is telling the truth." The Bringer nodded solemnly. "Very well then," Hades came forward. "I will place my trust in you once more. Use Solantir's magic to fight me." I nearly jumped back. "What!? Listen Hades, you don't want to experience what the white flame can do to you. I know you're not able to die, but what you're asking for would be too painful even for the likes of you."

"I'm not saying use his flames to put me in eternal torment," Hades cut off. "I want you to control his fire magic. Use the power, but never unleash the white flame that will sear any skin to ash. I...I have faith that you can do this." My eyes widened at what he said. "But you said-" Hades cut me off again. "I know what I said. Lately, I've been saying things then proving myself wrong. Living along humans has truly made me an entirely new being." Hades huffed, then took a deep breath before exhaling. "I have faith in you, Natsu. I know you can do this. Trust me, and believe, that you can bring her back. Believe in yourself that you can take control of Solantir's power. Please prove me wrong and show me as well as yourself that you can save the woman we love."

Hades looked down, eyes darkening to deep violet. "I trust you." He finished before rolling his sleeves up once more. I looked at my hands counting all the bruises and cuts I've received from my spars against Hades. My ribs that were nearly shattered to pieces were healed overnight thanks to Wendy and Solantir, and with the great Dragon's help, I've been able to keep up against my opponent. Now, I had to use Solantir's power to fight Hades. "I can do this," I whispered tightening my fists. At first, it was my father's fire that sparked to life. The gentle glow of red and orange dancing together between my knuckles sent a warmth throughout my arms, but I didn't stop there. I concentrated more within myself trying to find the secrets to wield the soul fire. My senses sharpened when I heard the rhythm of someone running straight at me. I jumped before I was able to realize Hades attempted to land a punch in my chest when I landed on my two feet. "Keep focus," Solantir ordered. I bobbed my head casually dodging the Bringer's hits simply by sliding my feet between his fists. Hades grunted in frustration whilst I closed my eyes. With my Sight, the Bringer's figure was easier to read of where he was calculating his next attack which meant I was a step ahead of him. "Remain your inner peace." The Dragon whispered. Hades let out a battle cry ready to unleash his rage unto me. "Now," I opened my eyes. Solantir hushed tone spoke. "Release." I caught Hades's flying fist in my clutch. The white fire spread from my wrists down to my arms. I could feel it's power surge through my blood with the sound of drums beating against my ears when I pulled Hades closer to my face. "Hold on!" I extended my other hand out allowing the rest of the soul fire to travel down my left arm. Hades grasped my shoulder, but the fire didn't touch him but retracted away to avoid his skin. I felt the pulse of magic spewing from me like a dam breaking from holding too much water. It was overbearing and to the point where it was painful to release such immense power. I let out a cry before my strength left me. Hades quickly gasped. "There it is! I see a gateway! Let's go!" Hades dragged me almost throwing me over his shoulder until I heard my comrades. "Natsu! Hades!" Erza yelled when I could see the rest of my teammates. "We'll return to the Guild Hall! You have to find Lucy's last soul shard before the two days are up! We know you guys can do it!" The sword maiden yelled across the distance. "Good luck to both of you!" Wendy said until both Hades and I went through the portal.

~~~

The landing part wasn't easy for me as it was for Hades. I landed on my back rolling a few feet away from where the gateway spat us out whereas Hades landed on his feet. My chest was tight as my heart was a battering ram. I couldn't move my body even if I wished to. Hades laughed to himself. "You did it!" He applauded until he found me on the ground. "Natsu?" Hades ran over to me not even worried I was still covered in the soul fire. "It's alright now. You did it, my friend. We made it to the Fifth Realm." My eyes gazed over our surroundings seeing we were in a new area of sorts. Everything was so...still.

It felt we entered a painting of nothing but shades of grey. This realm didn't even seem real due to the frozen ambiance. I tried to pull myself up but was unable to. My strength left me the moment I opened a gateway to the Fifth Realm. It was futile for me to stand. "I can't-... I can't move." I grit my teeth together to move almost having to focus on moving even my hands to push me up. Hades kneeled placing his hands over my head. "You've exerted yourself. Just try to rest a moment while I scout ahead to see where Lucy can be."

"She'll be on one of those floating islands."

"How do you know?" Hades asked. "A premonition. When you knocked me out not even an hour ago I saw her. She was so sad but didn't even seem to care that she was. It crushed my heart to see her eyes so broken." Hades helped me to sit against a tree when he look ahead at the dense forest. "Something isn't right. I can't even sense the life of the forest. It seems as though everything is...dead." The Bringer stood hastily. "I'll return shortly. Regain some of your strength in the meantime." Hades went off leaving to sit and look around the area we were teleported to. There were no ruins from what I saw in my premonition which means we weren't in the right location. I decided to try and stand once more, but my strength still hasn't returned. "Solantir," I hissed. "If you'd like to help out now's the time to do so!" The wind rushed about through the tree limbs like a storm was approaching. The sun that overhead became clouded when I saw a pair of large wings expand from the sky out of thin air. A large Dragon landed on all fours when the dull brown eyes I've seen before peered into my soul. "Natsu, what has happened?"

"I can't move Solantir. My body can't move a muscle." Solantir raised one of his talons to rest on my shoulders. A gentle feeling came over my senses when the great Dragon closed his eyes in concentration. "You've not only exhausted yourself but seemed to have wounded your soul in pushing to open the gateway for the Fifth Realm." Solantir closed his eyes. "Allow me to lend you my strength. This Realm, my home, everything has come to a still." I felt energy coursing through my body that I sighed with relief. My chest was no longer in pain when I placed my hand over where my heart laid. "What's happening to the Fifth Realm? Lucy told me this Realm is filled with colors never even imagined before. Life here seems to slowly wither."

"She is influencing this. You must find her at once, Natsu. The premonition you foresaw is all true. Find the ruins, and climb the roots to reach the highest sky island and confront her once and for all. Save the final shard of Lucy's soul." Solantir pulled his talon away when he looked to the South. "Follow the tether and you will find Lucy. Bring her back home, or all is lost to save her." I stood finding new strength to rely on. My feet took off sprinting through ahead as I searched for the ruins. The forest was dim and withering to a husk of what it once was. The dying leaves that only flowed the color blue fell from their tree limb, dimming and soon losing all colors of its former glory. I raced even faster keeping focus on my goal. Nothing mattered but to save the final shard. That was all that mattered at this point.

The ground changed to the old marble ruins when I skidded to a halt. I found the same tree roots I saw in my premonitions, climbing up the same sky island that was keeping Lucy. "Where is that Bringer?" I hissed considering just call out for him. "No. It may take too long for him to come. I'll finish this on my own." My eyes were still on the island. "I have to end this." I moved forward ready to climb the tree roots that were high above the clouds. The first few minutes wasn't difficult as I moved and climbed my way up. The wind was freezing and cut through me like a hot knife. I held on to my scarf to prevent it from flying off my neck as o kept my eyes upwards. I still had another set of climbing that my muscles were beginning to burn. "I can do this!" I screamed over the wind whilst pushing myself to make it. "I will save you one way or another Lucy! I promised you I would always be there!" There was only up. No matter what I had to just continue going up. Even when my body grew exhausted and begged me to stop, I kept on climbing. Even when the pain returned to my chest I had to keep going. If I stopped then that was it. I knew I would fail everyone that has placed their hope and faith within me. So no matter the cost, no matter how much it kills me or brings me pain...I will reach the top.

My fingers felt the touch of grass when I knew I made it to the top. I heaved myself up, struggling as my arms burned in protest. I fell into the grass gasping and coughing in a fit until I rolled onto my back. It was cold being so high above the ground, and yet it never felt so tranquil. I closed my eyes softly exhaling and inhaling until my heart calmed itself. When I pulled myself to stand, she was there, waiting with her back turned to me. She looked just as she did in my premonitions. The Light Goddess clothing, her left arm showing the blood of the Dark One, and her back that held the scars of her punishment. It was bleeding as it first had the moment the whips ripped her skin apart. "Lucy!" I cried with joy. Lucy turned back with her Balanced Form eyes. "Natsu? What are you doing here?"

"I came to bring you home," I whispered with the wind blowing against us. Lucy looked back to the distance. "I'm sorry," Lucy said. "but I'm not going back." Lucy turned back again away from me. "At least tell me why then. Why won't you come back with me!?" Lucy's head fell. "Because, no matter what you or Fairy Tail do, it won't matter. I know what I am, and I know that the Gods won't rest until I'm out of their way. For it is their plan for me to be extinguished." I had to bite my tongue back. "So you're just gonna accept it and allow it! I know that's everything you are against! You've never given up so easily even when you were at your lowest!"

"And I was a child!" Lucy yelled back returning her eyes to me. "I was a child with a dream that could never come true! I opened my eyes and realized I can't be saved. I wasn't meant to be what I am...now I must face the consequences and be judged by my siblings. I can't keep running, and fighting is pointless." My heart was beginning to shatter. "Lucy..." I said hoping she didn't mean any of it. Before I could speak against Lucy someone said their case before I was able to. "You truly are hard-headed Love." Hades, who was somehow on this sky island, passed me to move closer to the soul shard. Lucy's eyes widened. "Hades..." Lucy murmured. "I don't understand. How are YOU here? The Gods prevented you from crossing Realms to find me." I could only watch when Hades halted in front of Lucy. He clutched her hand, which became translucent for mere seconds until bringing her hand up to his cheek. "Do you believe the Gods could keep me away? No, my Love, I refuse to leave your side even now. You have always been my heart, and my very soul from the moment you cried your first tears." Lucy's cold expression broke when her lip began to tremble. "I have to give in now Hades. Before it's too late! I have to save them-"

"Do you think the Gods will spare your family and all living things if you surrender? Lucy, you complete fool, they use your emotions against you. You know what they pursue now, what they're plotting is if you decide to step down and forfeit yourself. You can't accept this!" I wasn't beholding Hades or Lucy at this point. I was witnessing their love they shared for each other. This intimacy they shown only through their eyes was now being spoken. It was almost like they were proclaiming their love for one another. And all I could do was watch...

Lucy smiled, but her eyes were filled with sorrow. "No. They will still go on with their plan. Even now I knew that, but I could only hope my surrender would somehow convince them to leave the Realms be. Another hopeless dream I thought of." Hades stroked her cheek. "Not hopeless, Love. It's a dream that hasn't been accomplished yet. You will someday take this dream and make it a reality. That I promise you will." Lucy peered into Hades's lavender eyes. "Even through all the hardships, I can still uncover a way to save the people I care for?" Hades nodded, looking back at me. "Yes." He responded full of certainty when he pulled away from Lucy. "The man that should be holding you, is the one that climbed through Hell and back just so he can talk to you." Hades moved his head in a motion for me to come forward. "Natsu, speak to her again. Speak from the heart." Lucy looked back at me her eyes still saddened beyond imagine when I came forth. My hands were fists struggling to keep them from shaking when I bit my tongue. "Lucy, I love you," I said with raw feelings I swore I choked up. Tears cascaded down my eyes, tears of blood that burned my retinas. "And I don't care what you say! I need you Lucy Heartfilia. If not for yourself then please, please for me I beg you to come back. You're all I truly need in this world Luce. I need the warmth of your touch and the soft gentle look in your eyes. I need you to guide me through the trouble of life. I need you to be with me..."

"Natsu..." Lucy said softly under her breath. I extended my hand out for her. "Please, if I must get on my knees and beg them so be it, please let's go home." Lucy looked down at my hand, pondering whether to reach for my hand and clasp it. A small smile stretch along her lips, one that held hope again after seeing the light after a dark day. Her eyes longingly looked into mine when she too began to shed tears. "Let's go home," Lucy answered moving her hand to take mine. There was nothing but joy. Finally, after almost two weeks Lucy would return to her former self. She would wake up, alive and happy, to be with me again. Lucy was close to placing her palm into mine...until I saw a figment of something moving behind her. It was floating like a mist, swirling, and spinning into the shape of a person. The entity seemed to have taken notice of what was happening as it extended its arm out right in front of me and Lucy. Powerful energy was coming from it when I heard Hades gasp. "NO!" Hades cried out attempting to stop whatever the entity was doing, but it was already too late. The shape released all of its power in what was the shape of a javelin when Hades had no choice but to push me and Lucy out of the way, but the damage was already done. The attack was too quick even for the Bringer to save both of us.

Lucy was struck.

It landed in her back causing her entire body to almost look like it was being electrocuted as she seized and convulsed. The screams that escaped from her wasn't human, but the cries of a thousand tormented souls. I fell to the ground already looking back up when the figure that was levitating came closer. "This shard of a broken soul will not mend. For it is lost, and will cease." I gazed in horror when I saw the entity with my eyes. It was a being made of light as it bends and twists from the energy that comes from it. Somehow, it was beautiful and yet terrifying to even stare at that I had to look away in panic. Hades, on the other hand, let out a shout of fury. "How could you Master?! How could you do this to my Love!"

"She stands in the way of destiny, Hades. She must be stopped no matter the price. Without the final piece, her soul will be incomplete, and her heart will come to an end. She will die, and all shall be put into place." Hades bowed his head, teeth clenched in anger when he showed his dark, black eyes to the being. "Lucy...she was my creation. How could you...do this to me?"

"The path of Rightfulness means sacrifice. You will understand after this is all over." The being shifted when I felt it penetrating my very soul with its many eyes. I cowered to the ground unable to move or even speak. "Your love for the Deceiver is undying. I applaud you, but in a matter of hours, you will become the Half-Soul she was. Soon you will forget and lose all human emotions and ties. For it is the path you have chosen, my child." The being moved back to where it was first formed. "Say your final goodbyes. It is already too late to take the final soul shard. May you find mercy before the final hour of Reckoning." The light of energy was gone, but still, I kept my head down to the grass until I heard Hades move. The Bringer reached Lucy's soul shard first when she was already vanishing. "Lucy! Lucy please you must stay strong! Don't fade away! Don't leave again!"

"Lucy?" I whimpered until I pulled my head up. The color of Lucy's blonde hair, her soft pearly skin, and the colors of her clothes were gone. Even her eyes didn't hold the Light Goddess nor the Dark One eyes. She lost all her color and didn't move when Hades held her. She was fading as the outline of her disappeared into nothingness. "No!" I gasped moving closer when I traced her lips with my thumb. "I can't lose you! Not after all I did just to lose you! We were so close Luce! We can still do it if you just fight! Please, please don't leave!"

Lucy was unresponsive.

"Love?" Hades cried as tears fell down his cheeks. "Lucy? I don't understand why you won't speak...you and I love to talk. Do you remember? Every Sunday and Wednesday we would go to brunch at the local café and just talk about the simpler things in life? Do you remember you would always get oolong tea with a pinch of honey? You love the smell of oolong on a beautiful sunny morning. Do you remember Love?"

Lucy's eyes stared into oblivion. They were cold. Lifeless.

I held her other hand. The one that held Fairy Tail's symbol when I placed a kiss on her knuckle. The only relief I could feel were the tears of blood that left my face. "Do you remember finding each other Luce?" I asked my voice soft and broken. "How you were always ready to go on adventures even if it was just the two of us? Do you remember finding out Happy could talk? How you found out the guild was so rowdy and we all shared good brawls? Do you...Do you remember our first kiss? The first time we said 'I love you' to each other?"

Lucy's soul shard said nothing. There wasn't enough time to say our goodbyes.

I held on tighter engraving my memory to remember the last time she smiled. "I love you." I wept, placing one last kiss on Lucy's forehead. Hades kept holding her hand as we both waited for the inevitable. Before we knew. . .

Lucy was gone.

It was all for naught.

The final shard has faded.

. . . I failed . . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you're wondering, no it isn't the last chapter. But hey, what a way to come back, hm? Sorry to keep ya'll waiting, and sorry for the feels. Don't worry though, stay tuned. ;)

As always Lovelies...love you all.❤️