The Choices We Make

"I'm impressed." Sherry said. "You were able to close the gate even though I was in control."
"Yeah." Lucy boasted as she stared at Sherry. "It looks like I'm stronger than I look."
"We'll see about that." Sherry told her. "Remember any spirit you summon I can control at will."
"Really, cause I got a few powerful spirits up my sleeve." Lucy said as she pulled out a silver key. "Open Gate of Canis Minor: Nicola!" Lucy shouted, and Plue appeared, getting a shocked look from Sherry.
"Oh, isn't he the cutest." Sherry blushed. "I think I love it."
"Would ya stop talking about love for Christ's sake." Lucy moaned.
"Someone's bitter." Sherry smirked before activating her magic. "Marionette, now your spirit is mine."
Plue then stopped and faced Lucy. "No, Plue, not you too."
Plue then jumped at Lucy only to laugh at the tiny spirit attempted to hurt her as Sherry sweat dropped.
The choices we make
----"What." Sherry had little time to think before Lucy was attacking her with her whip. 
"Damn it, you called a weak spirit on purpose!" Sherry shouted as she dodged another attack.
"Yep, now your magic is useless." Lucy boasted.
'I can't believe this." Sherry then stopped her control over Plue, who started to apologize to Lucy.
"It's okay, buddy now go rest up." Lucy told the spirit as it vanished.
"Marionette Attack Rock Doll." A giant rock monster appeared behind her, scaring Lucy.
"Do I have a spirit that can destroy something that big." Lucy muttered before the rock doll began to attack her, causing Lucy to run away. "Now rock doll, crush this little girl."
"Little Girl!" Lucy shouted while she ran away, "We're the same age; hell, I might a little older than you."
"Keep talking, and I'll catch you." Sherry threatened. "You better find a spirit."
Lucy barely dodged another attack and landed at the side of a cliff, which slowly began to break "aw, shit," Lucy moaned as the piece she was on fell and landed her near a beach.
"Water." Lucy said as she stood up. "I could summon Aquarius, but Water can't destroy rock And Aquarius would sweep me away, too. Sweep me away?"
"Now it's time for you to die! no love for you!" Sherry shouted as her rock doll attempted to step on Lucy, who jumped out of the way.
"That's it." Lucy said to herself. "I hope I don't regret this. Open Gate of the Water Bearer: Aquarius."
A huge column of water appeared and revealed Aquarius, which shocked Sherry. 
"How the hell does a girl like you have such a powerful spirit?" Sherry asked.
"Aquarius, listen, I need you to-"
"Hmm."
"Oh, come on with the attitude." Lucy moaned. "For once, can you just listen."
"Oh hi, Aquarius, how has your day been." Aquarius moaned as she turned away from Lucy.
"Now then, Aquarius, wash that girl away." Sherry ordered as she used her magic to gain control of Aquarius.
"What."
"With Aquarius under my control, you might as well give up." Sherry told Lucy.
"NO, she's still my ace in the hole!"
"Oh yeah, Aquarius, wash this girl away!"
"Oh yeah." Aquarius then gathered the water and launched it at the girls. "I was already planning on doing that." Soon, Lucy was caught in a large pool of water Sherry began laughing until she notices the water coming from her too. she let out a scream before the water swept her away too. "What do ya know, looks like you can be smart Lucy, I guess I'll see you later."
Lucy managed to stand up with swirls in her eyes as she barely managed to walk around. 
"Leave it to Aquarius to hurl her waves at friend and foe alike." Lucy muttered as she walked around.
Sherry also managed to stand up but barely able to gain her composure. 
"I hate myself for letting you trick me again." She told Lucy. "But ha, she wasn't able to destroy my rock doll."
"SO, but without you, on it, you can't control it." Lucy said; she leaned back into Sherry, and the two began throwing punches at each other, going back and forth. 
"This is over." Lucy threw another, which caused Sherry to fly backward. "I can't believe it. Cold Emperor though my life is gone my love for you will burn forever."
"Oh come on, you're not dead." Lucy moaned at the girl's theatrics.
"Angelica, avenge your master."
"What." The giant rat monster appeared again, ready to attack Lucy, who unable to move at the moment. 
"This is bad." Lucy shouted as she closed her eyes only for someone to appear, which was revealed to be Erza the monster landed out cold as Erza hit the ground.
"Erza, what are you-" Lucy stopped dead when Erza gave her a look that would make some of the most powerful wizards get into fiddle position.
"Lucy, did you know." Her voice was colder than any ice magic. Lucy literally felt the color drain from her body. 'I'm so glad I'm soaking wet right now.' She thought to herself as Erza stared at her 'did she find out the truth about Natsu' Lucy thought
"Lucy, did you know" Erza shouted
She swallowed a lump in her throat and put on the best fake smile she could muster. 
"Promise you won't hurt me?" Lucy begged as her words rang in her head as something she probably shouldn't have said as Erza's glare grew colder.
"Hey Lucy." Happy called and noticed Sherry and Angelica passed out. "Woah, you beat her." He looked to see Erza with her too. "Oh hey Erza, how-" He froze when she shot him the same glare which caused Happy to try and flee only to be caught by the tail.
"Where is Natsu?" Erza asked in a tone of voice that cut all logic.
All Lucy could do was smile when underneath she felt her soul leave her body. "Listen, if this about the salamander thing or whatever they call him, it can wait..." Lucy stopped when Erza flung her sword at Lucy, causing a huge shock wave.
"I could care less right now." Erza spat. "You know very well why I'm here, and you will tell me where he is, and you both may walk away with your lives."
Gray came too at a small camp; he was covered in bandages from head to toe as he struggled to get up. 
"Where am I?" He asked as he looked around.
He got up and exited the tent.
One of the villagers came up to him. 
"Hood your awake." She said as Gray overlooked his wound; the aching feeling in his chest still wouldn't go away.
"Where are we?" Gray asked.
"A small camp." She answered. "The village was destroyed last night."
Gray lost his words as he remembers Lyon telling his minions to destroy the village and their raid. "I can't believe they actually did it."
"I know." The lady responded. "We were lucky that Natsu and Lucy were able to stop them."
Gray looked back. 
"Are they here?" He asked in a concerned tone.
"Yes, they're in that tent over there." She pointed.
"Okay, thanks." Gray said as he left the lady.
As he entered the tent, Gray froze as he received Erza's cold glare. "You kept me waiting. That's a mistake."
"Erza?" Gray asked, confused as he saw Lucy and Happy tied up. "Why are they tied up, and what are you doing here?"
"A better question is, did you know Natsu's little secret? Or did they hide it from you as well?" Erza asked, not moving.
"What secret." Gray was lost.
"Natsu is the mysterious wizard that has been causing trouble as of late." Erza told him, not moving and sending chills down Gray's spine. 'Man I knew she was scary, but god, I'm surprised the hair on my head hadn't stood up yet.'
"Hey, speaking of which, where is the Flame-brain." Gray laughed in his head. 'Good one, I should call him that.'
"That's what we'd all like to know?" Erza asked as she stood up.
"Last I saw him, he was at the village fighting the cold emperor's lackeys, but when we got there, he was gone." Lucy told him.
"Well then, we need to move." Gray said. "If he's out there, he will need backup."
"Not so fast!" Erza shouted.
"If anything, you will call off this mission and send Natsu into custody."
Gray froze in place. "You can't be serious!" Gray shouted at her. "I know Lucy has caught you up to speed on what's happening, and we have to-" Gray stopped when Erza pointed a sword at him.
"I could care less what happens to these people. They have a job posted in nearly every guild in Fiore." Erza said coldly. "Right now, Natsu must answer for what he's done."
"How could you be so heartless, Erza!" Gray shouted as she held the sword in his face scaring Lucy and Happy.
"Gray." Erza said in a calm voice. "Natsu isn't a registered wizard. That alone is a huge violation, not to mention all the destruction he caused."
"Natsu isn't-" Gray shook off the thought as he remembered what Natsu had told him. "So, you and I know he's a good person."
"Gray, if you do this, I'll take you along with the rest of them to the Magic Council and you'll face the same punishment." Erza spat.
Gray looked down, hair covering his eyes; he gripped Erza's sword shocking all of them and pointed it at his chest. 
"If it means protecting these people from my mistakes, and if it means easing a father's pain." Gray said as he looked back at Erza with a glare that matched her own. "Do what you must cause at the end, it's my choice, and I can't just walk away from what my heart knows is right."
Gray pushed the sword aside before walking away. 
"And Erza." He said, getting her attention. "Natsu is a better person than the rumors would have to believe. We both know that, and you do too. In the end, I know you'll make the right choice," Gray finished before leaving.
Leaving a shocked Lucy and Happy with an even more shocked Erza, who stood there speechless.
Natsu yawned as he walked through the forest back to the temple. 
"Damn it." He muttered as he found the temple."I hope Lucy, Gray, and Happy are all right."
"I know they'll come here." Natsu said as he approached the temple. 
"I should wait for backup." Natsu said as he moved his arm, which still had a slight sting from his fight with Yuka. "But I have to stop this before they free that demon."
Back at the tent, Lucy and Happy were still in shock from what they saw. It wasn't until they saw Erza look back at them with that cold glare that they remembered how to breathe and their situation. "Listen, don't be mad."
"Yeah." Happy agreed. "Gray's just mad 'cause he lost a fight to his old friend."
Erza's sword struck them in a flash, and the ropes were cut in half as they noticed Erza standing unmoving.
"These conditions are." Erza fumbling to make words. "unbearable we'll deal with the problem at hand first."
"Really."
"But that doesn't mean the current issue is dealt with." Era told them. "We will deal with this issue."
Lucy swallowed nervously. "That isn't a good thing."
----Meanwhile, back at the temple, Lyon stared disappointingly at his only remaining henchman. "So you're the only one left, Toby."
Toby growled in response as he remembered that he had shocked himself.
"Hey, can we keep the whole shocking me a secret?" Toby asked.
Soon the mysterious man appeared. 
"I have good news." He said as he faced Lyon. "Deliora's ice is almost melted, so it should be at some time tonight."
"Zalty." Lyon stated. "As sneaky as ever."
The man known as Zalty smiled. 
"We also need to keep an eye on those wizards. The fabled Erza has come to assist them from the looks of it." Zalty told him, "And the boy appeared to know powerful fire magic and is quite resourceful when it comes to using it."
Lyon chuckled. 
"No matter, they're both weaker than me." he boasted.
"I was hoping you'd say that." Zalty said, grinning. "But still, let me have the honor of joining you in battle, for old-time sake."
"Wait, you're a wizard?" Toby asked, shocked.
"Yes, I dabbled in a particular lost magic long ago. It may be enough to win."
"All right, fine." Lyon agreed before the building began to shake.
"It's an earthquake." Toby shouted in a panic.
The temple then began to lean over. Natsu was destroying ledges deep in the temple to make the building unstable. He let out a breath attack, reaching the room where Lyon and company were.
----[##Natsu theme##]
----Zalty let out a smirk. 
"I should have known he would have the first move. It appears we have a visitor, sir."
"Man, it's been a while since I got to let loose like this!" Natsu shouted to Lyon. "It's kinda fun."
"You fool, what do you think you're doing!" Lyon shouted.
"I'm destroying the temple; that way, you can't shine any moon drip on the demon in the basement."
"You bastard" Lyon shouted.
"Um, someone wants to explain what's happening?" Toby asked.
"Well, it appears our friend destroyed the support pillars on one side of the building." Zalty explained. 
"So, the building would lean to the side, and moon drip wouldn't hit Deliora." Zalty finished. "It's an ingenuous plan; I'm just surprised that he could come up with it.
"You just gonna stand there!" Natsu shouted as flames burst from his feet. "Or are you gonna fight."
"Flames shoot from his legs?" Lyon asked, shocked.
"When we fought him, fire shot from his entire body." Toby answered as Natsu flew into the room and headbutted Lyon, shocking Tobey.
Lyon is then revealed to be a decoy as the real one appears behind Natsu. "Ice-Make: Eagle." Frozen eagles then shoot at Natsu. "You can't dodge them in mid-air."
Natsu then shot fire from his mouth, shooting him to the ground, shooting more fire from his feet as he did a handstand. "Fire Dragon Roar!" Natsu shouted as Lyon jumped out of the way.
"What kind of magic is this?" Lyon asked as Natsu continued to attack him Zalty waved his hand, and the floor underneath Natsu gave out, causing him to fall in.
"looks like luck is on your side, cold Emperor." Zalty stated.
Lyon stared at the hole, a look of disgust forming on his face. 
"Zalty, what did you do?" He asked.
"Can we keep the part of me getting barbecued a secret, too." Toby pleaded.
"What do you mean?" Zalty asked.
"The hole in the floor that was you're doing." Lyon responded.
"Ever the watchful eye." Zalty responded. "Seeing as Deliora will be revived soon, and you are the only one strong enough to beat it, you must save your strength."
----[##Guren no Ikari Ost##]
----The air around them grew cold. "Are you suggesting I could be defeated by such poultry magic?" Lyon asked as the room began to freeze, ice forming over the ceiling as he stared down at Natsu, who had climbed up. "Leave; I will deal with this fool myself; soon, I will defeat Deliora, and the world will praise the name Lyon, the cold emperor."
"As you wish."
"He wants to fight that thing."
Gray ran alongside the mountain along with Lucy, Erza, and Happy. "Wait, so he wants to melt that thing so he can fight it."
"The thing looks half-dead." Natsu told him. "You mean to tell me you're going through all this." Lyon felt magic energy emerge from Natsu. "So, you can fight a damn demon to prove you've surpassed your master."
Lyon couldn't explain it, but the magic Natsu was giving off made him feel warm, and that was a first "I must rise above Ur's legacy!" Lyon shouted as he shot another attack at Natsu.
"But why awaken the demon," Natsu asked as he dodged the attacks. "Couldn't you just challenge her and be done with it."
"I would if I could." Lyon told him. "But she's been dead for years."
Natsu froze as he remembered Gray saying Ur sacrificed everything to seal it. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize she died to seal it."
"Yes, but she would still be here if it weren't for Gray!" Lyon shouted as an eagle appeared behind Natsu and hit him.
Lyon lowered his guard as Natsu appeared only with a few scratches. He had to admit it. He was low on fuel right now. Fighting two magic users and destroying the building nearly killed him.
"Look." Natsu said between breaths. "I don't know what happened in the past." Natsu let out a huff as he got into another fighting stance. "But I know what you're doing in the present, and it's hurting a lot of innocent people" Natsu let out a huff as fire formed on his good arm. "and since you can't see that, I'll have to beat it in you."
"Ever since we were kids, Lyons dreamed of surpassing Ur." Gray explained. "But since she died, he feels he has to beat Deliora to prove he's surpassed her."
"That makes sense." Lucy said, covering her chest. "What better way."
"Aye."
"Listen." Gray told him as he stood up from the tree. "I never told him this. Ur made me promise never to let him know," Gray told them.
"Ur may not be with us, but she's still alive."