Hello, everyone! :D Here is the next chapter! ♥ Sorry it took so long, but if you didn't know, I was publishing a few chapters for my next fan fiction, "Fairy Tail: You're Lucy of Fairy Tail"!  I'm really excited for it, haha!  but, finally, here is a chapter for "Legend of the Fallen"! ;o;  Please don't hate me for this chapter; and the fact that it is a cliff hanger!  The next chapter (which I will publish today to make up for this) will be awesome, I promise! ♥ To be honest, I think I only have a few more chapters before this fan fiction is finished! :o  Kinda surprised it went so fast, lol!

Multimedia is very important for this chapter!  The poster is an illustration of what happens in the most emotional part of this chapter!!  Plus, even though I've already shared this song, it's perfect for the intense emotion as well!  Though I am spoiling slightly, I will tell you this: at the time of 3:14 in the song, where they yell "One more try!" for a long period of time is where I imagine Natsu yelling after Lucy...ya know. owo

Alright!  To continue...wow, this is a long passage haha!  I dedicate this chapter to darkvengeance9!  I hope you all like it!  Please comment and vote, and tell me if you think (with the music and poster) if it is as emotional as I thought it was while writing it, especially with the song!  Thanks so much everyone!  Until the next chapter!!

я y - c н α η ,

т н є и α ℓ υ ω я ι т є я - - ღ

=======================================================================

Makarov watched the battle urge on.

The other guild masters were with him; Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus.  They stood at the opening of the Sky Castle, looking up into the sky.  Sky Brigades now battled other flying Black Brigades, both outside the barrier and inside.  The giant ship was being attacked as well.  Blasts of magic echoed across the sky, loud explosions ringing through the air.  However, it didn't happen just in the sky, but on the island all around them.

"Makarov, the villagers are still well hidden under the castle."  Alafan replied, coming to stand beside him.

"Ah, good.  It is just up to us to protect the innocent.  As you know, Alafan, we won't interfere in this battle."

Alafan nodded, thought he looked slightly conflicted.  "Of course.  This is Lucy's battle to fight."

"Natsu won't hold back, either,"  Makarov replied, not taking his eyes off the battle before them.  "But you do know Alafan, that this truly is Lucy's battle to finish."

Alafan nodded.  "Correct.  Lucy is Alys' reincarnation, after all."

Makarov was silent for a moment, turning to look at the old prophet.  "But tell me...will Lucy's fate be the same as Alys' fate?"

Alafan's expression was sad, but he looked at the master of Fairy Tail.  "That's the exception, Makarov.  It's up to Lucy to decide that for herself,"  There was a small silence.  

"Whether or not Miss Lucy dies or lives is up to her."

-------------------------- ♦ Fαιяу тαιℓ : Lєgєηd of тнє Fαllєη ♦ --------------------------

There was an intense silence in the room.  Natsu's aura was pulsating, and his stare was murderous and his mouth was formed in a hard line.  His eyes flashed red again; the magic the Daonei had given him was reguvinating his energy, and giving him more power at the same time.

"What you said earlier..."  Natsu replied, his tone low yet full of detestation.

"Oh?"  Donovan began, his expression subtle.

Natsu's eyes were fierce.  "Lucy's soul isn't tainted."

Donovan looked amused.  "You believe that, Salamander?"

Natsu didn't answer, though his intense look stayed.  The fire around him grew, and Natsu's hands tightened slightly, though he didn't move.

Donovan chuckled.  "You're unbelievable, Fairy Tail.  How would you know whether or not your precious Alys is--!"

Natsu's eyes had widened, his expression snapping as he suddenly launched forward like a rocket, getting to Donovan in just a second and silencing him with a heavy punch to the face.  However, Natsu increased the power of his blow by having fire shoot up his arm and make Donovan sail across the ground, slamming into the wall all the way across the large room.

"Her name..."  Natsu snarled, his eyes shadowed by his hair as he pulled himself upright from slouching.  "...is Lucy!"

Donovan growled, pulling himself back up to his feet.  "Oh really?  Perhaps it's about time to quit fooling around with the likes of you!"

Natsu snarled, his eyes wild.  "It's about time!"

Natsu's eyes were fierce.  Surprising Donovan, Natsu launched forward with intense speed and in seconds was there underneath him.  Natsu grabbed onto Donovan's arm and clenched it hard, a snap being heard. 

"That poison won't touch me this time!" Natsu roared, pulling Donovan's injured arm down so he had a clear shot of the evil mage's face.  With a loud crack, Natsu's fist connected with Donovan's cheek, flames and anger making the blow that much more powerful.  

Donovan was launched back, but Natsu charged forward again, not letting up.  The magic that the Daonei people had given him was filling him with new anger, and the power to finally bring Donovan to his knees.  Natsu lit both of his fists on fire and landed twelve blows in just seconds, acting as a torpedo as the dragon slayer dropped to the ground, towering over the evil mage.

However, Donovan was far from finished.  Black magic shot from his hand as he gestured it towards Natsu, and his original magic mixed in with it.  Natsu was snagged by the sharp jets of magic, his clothing ripping and light cuts appearing under his arms and his sides.  Forced to retreat back, Natsu's footing regained their composure just in time as Donovan lunged for him.  As they lunged at each other, Natsu's hands ablaze and Donovan's arms churning with Valince's magic, Natsu ducked and covered, dipping under Donovan's swinging arms.

Donovan was also dodging Natsu's attacks swiftly, his eyes narrowed and his expression distasteful.  Natsu gave a long cry of determination, both of their speeds quickening as they were a tangle of limbs and magic.  Natsu dropped to the ground, fire filling his mouth as he turned his head to face Donovan who stopped in his tracks.

Natsu's gaze was intense.  "Fire Dragon's...Roar!"

Fire roared into existence and slammed into Donovan, the force causing the dark mage to slide against the dirt, his feet creating lines in the ground.  When the clouds cleared, Natsu was on his feet, a threatening look on his face as he faced Donovan once more, his body ablaze in intensity.  Donovan had dropped his arms as well, and he faced the dragon slayer darkly.

Lucy still layed on the ground, her staff next to her as her eyes were closed and her mind still unconscious.

-------------------------- ♦ Fαιяу тαιℓ : Lєgєηd of тнє Fαllєη ♦ --------------------------

Lucy was residing in Alys' throne room, only it was hundreds of years before.  Lucy recognized the memory instantly; this was the moment that Alys and Nagaharu had used the specific spell that cost them their lives.

But why was Lucy seeing it again?

The memory had froze, and Lucy walked cautiously through the throne room, Alys still residing on the platform and Nagaharu facing Valince angrily.  Being drawn to Alys, Lucy slowly walked towards the Celestial Goddess, remembering all she had been through.  

Alys had been raised normally, and even had a family and a precious childhood friend.  But when her family had been torn apart, Alys had decided to take on a huge responsibility without further consideration.  Fate had allowed Nagaharu and Alys to meet again, and Lucy could tell the two had a bond stronger than anything.  Alys must have been scared at some point in her lifetime; Lucy definitely would have been.  But at the same time, Lucy recognized Alys as a hero; she had so much courage and kindness.

"What do you want to tell me, Alys?"  Lucy replied sadly, facing the goddess parallel to herself.

They really did look a lot alike.

Lucy slowly raised her hand, her fingers twitching slightly as her expression held helplessness yet curiosity at the same time.  Slowly, Lucy raised her hand and brushed her fingers against Alys' staff.  A second later, a light ring spread through the air, and the image rippled in front of Lucy.  She gasped, drawing back in surprise.  The staff suddenly began to glow, and Lucy had to block her eyes the light was so intense.  

It completely covered the room, and Lucy let out a light wail of startlement as she too was engulfed by the light of Alys.

-------------------------- ♦ Fαιяу тαιℓ : Lєgєηd of тнє Fαllєη ♦ --------------------------

Natsu bounded out of the way as explosions rang out across the ground where he once stood.  Donovan used the smoke as cover however, and surprised Natsu by appearing behind him.  But Natsu's expression was intense, and he whirled around to face Donovan just in time.  Crossing his arms, Natsu took the blow that Donovan's magic landed, sliding across the ground heavily on his heels.

Natsu retaliated, both of them at equal strength and speed.  They swung blow after blow, landing one on each other in patterns almost too quick for the eye to see.  Natsu brought his arms up as Donovan brought his leg around, and a pulse of air escaped from around them as Natsu stopped the blow to his face.

"Tell me, Salamander!"  Donovan ordered.  "What on earth makes you believe such?  How do you believe that Lucy Heartfilia, the reincarnation of Alys, has a pure soul?  Her powers would be stronger if she had a pure soul!"

Natsu roared, shoving Donovan away and clenching his teeth angrily.  "Lucy didn't know any of these people until we first came here!"  Lunging again, Natsu lit his fist on fire.

"Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon!"

Natsu slammed his fist into Donovan's arms instead of where he had aimed, and he jumped back to avoid a retaliating blow from Donovan.

Natsu took a breath, his expression hateful.  "Lucy was chosen to be the reincarnation!  That should stand for something alone!  And when she realized the responsibility that she had to deal with, Lucy took it without hesitation!  Even though she was scared..."  the memory of Natsu and Lucy outside under the moon flashed through his mind as Natsu dodged a blow of Donovan's magic.  "...even though Lucy felt pressured..."  the memory of Lucy smiling slightly and leaving the room while giving the Fairy Tail sign also flashed through his mind. "...she decided to protect the people that had become her family!"

Natsu charged forward, jumping into the air and descending heavily onto Donovan, bringing his flamed fist with him.  "Lucy has the purest soul here!"  Natsu exclaimed with passion as he collided into Donovan.

An explosion of fire erupted into the air, and Donovan landed twenty feet away from Natsu, whose chest was heaving.  Donovan clutched at his arm painfully, his expression angered.

Natsu growled, pulling himself up darkly.  "I'm here only to protect Lucy.  And if you stand in my way..."  Natsu glared at Donovan.  "...then know I won't stop until you're defeated!"

Donovan's expression was angered, but then it suddenly turned amused, surprising the dragon slayer.  "I'm not done yet, Salamander.  There's more to my magic than what meets the eye...!"

The ground erupted underneath Natsu, and he let out a noise of surprise as Donovan's mixed magic shot out from the ground and wrapped around his wrists, ankles, waist, and neck in only seconds.

"What the--?!"  Natsu grunted, pulling at his binds.

Donovan let a blood-curling smirk slide on his face.  "You're caught in my binds; big mistake."

Natsu's eyes widened and a loud roar escaped his mouth as blood began to ooze from fresh wounds where he was bound.  Not only there, but deep gashes appeared all over his body, blood spurting onto the ground in splatters.  Natsu's roar of pain was cut short as blood escaped his mouth as well, and he suddenly felt his limbs go weak though he was still forced to stand.

Natsu's eyes were wide in shock, and they shook as pain ached through him.

Donovan laughed.  "It's about time I finish you, Natsu Dragneel!  I'm done with playing with you; die by my hand and take your last breath!"

Natsu exclaimed loudly again as pain shot through his body this time; if felt like his insides were burning.  The pain continued to increase, and Natsu's body heated up way more than his fire dragon slayer body could handle.  He felt like he just wanted to jump in a lake of freezing water; his skin felt like it was melting off.

Donovan laughed, abruptly shutting off the pain and leaving Natsu breathless.  How many different things could Donovan do with these things attached to Natsu?  Could he do both internal and external damage?!

It was then Lucy stirred.

Lucy gasped, awakening quickly.  The familiar roar of Natsu had woken her, and she sat straight up and grabbed her staff, ignoring the pain radiating across her skin and muscles.  She knew what she had to do now; though she wouldn't have the same outcome as Alys.

When she sat up, Lucy's eyes widened in horror when she saw Natsu gasping for breath, severely injured and in radiating pain.

"Natsu!"  Lucy exclaimed worriedly, pain in her heart as she was able to bring herself to her shaky knees.  How long had she been out?  As Lucy could see it, she had been unconscious for too long.

Natsu looked surprised to hear Lucy's voice, and his eyes widened as he saw her struggling to bring herself to her feet.  "Lucy, stop!  You gotta stay away--!"

Natsu let out another loud roar of pain as Donovan made more injuries appear on his flesh, and Lucy's blood ran cold at the sound.  Her pupils contracted in horror, and she stopped in her tracks, still residing on her knees.  Tears suddenly thrust themselves to the corners of Lucy's eyes, but they didn't shed.  They were from the guilt and sadness in Lucy's heart, and the desperation to get Donovan to stop.

"Stop hurting him!"  Lucy exclaimed, trying to get Donovan's attention back on her instead of Natsu.

It worked, but slightly.  Donovan stopped his assault on Natsu, but still ignored Lucy.  Anger filled the Celestial Mage, and she began pulling herself to her feet, despite the jagged injuries that resided there.

Natsu looked at Lucy, his expression strained.  "Lucy..."

Donovan suddenly smirked, looking at her in amusement that surprised both Natsu and Lucy.  "You aren't worth fighting anymore, Lucy Heartfilia.  I say it's about time for you to disappear too."

Lucy glanced at him in question and then to Natsu, but it was only for a second before she felt indescribable pain enter her stomach.  However, Lucy just widened her eyes, and the light disappeared from them.

Natsu's eyes widened in shock and desperation, his throat unable to whisper anything in that moment.

One of the binds that had entangled Natsu had shot from the ground and impaled Lucy through the middle of her stomach.  Lucy looked down at the injury, her eyes still clouded as her arms hung limply at her sides.  

Natsu's throat constricted, and he let out a desperate noise as his breath halted.  His pain forgotten, images from the past flashed through his mind.  Memories of Lucy--or rather, Lucy from the future--being stabbed and killed by Rogue from the future, dying in present Lucy's arms.  The fear he had felt, the anger, the--Future Lucy's last sentences before she died.

Natsu was scarred from it.

And he was reliving it all over again.

"Lucy..."  Natsu was able to choke out, his eyes shaking as his expression was in fearful disbelief.

Lucy's staff dropped to the ground, and Lucy began to fall forward as Donovan's vine un-lodged itself from her stomach.  Her expression cold and barely there, Lucy dropped to the ground, seeming to be the loudest noise to Natsu's ears.

Natsu sucked in a tight breath, and finally let out an ear-piercing roar that echoed throughout the room and shook the ground.  It went on forever, it seemed, and it was full of emotion; but it sounded more broken and in disbelief than anything.  When he had no more breath to roar his pain, anger seemed to fill his insides and turn his emotions into a wildfire.

Donovan, however, looked amused.  "You wanted to protect her, right Salamander?  Seems you did a lousy job in doing so, just now."  Natsu's eyes were once again shaded by his dirtied pink hair, yet his back was facing Donovan.  However, Donovan continued, his expression neutral.  

"After all, I did just kill her."

Natsu slowly turned his head towards the dark mage, and Donovan looked at him impassively.  Natsu's expression was almost demonic, and flames licked his hands and burned away the vines, catching Donovan off guard.  Natsu hadn't been able to burn them away before; how could he now?  

Natsu's eyes had contracted into fierce hatred, his expression wild and veins popping from his forehead.  "Do you know what you did?  You hurt my Lucy!  Bastard...you'll pay!"  Natsu let a snarl escape his mouth and he opened it widely to yell.  "You think you're going to get away with touching something precious to me?!"

Natsu stood, unable to think properly as anger blinded his thoughts.  Though, he didn't need them.

He just needed to tear Donovan limb from limb.

.

.

.

==========================================================

Natsu's anger and vengeance is at his peak!  Will Lucy somehow make it, and will the battle finally end?!

Find out in Chapter 22: We'll Fight Together!