Kay this could be considered an A.U. seeing as this is my view on the E.N.D. theories (May 2015) and in this universe Makarov is still in the guild (out of convenience as I couldn't see Mirajane saying this stuff). Grab a box of tissues by the way. Plus my acronyms suck.
P.S. I made up a spell, it isn't real haha
* * *
LUCY
"E.N.D. Etherious Natsu Dragneel, deceased brother of Zeref. Is Dragneel even his real surname? After all Igneel only raised him, he wasn't his biological dad." Gajeel snarled, and Erza gave him a look. If looks could kill, Gajeel would be six feet under by now. We all turned to Gray who, with wide eyes, looked puzzled. Although he was the one who'd figured it all out, with the help of his father's knowledge and his Demon Slayer magic, he seemed like it wasn't what he wanted to hear.
"But the only thing I know is that there is only one thing that can defeat E.N.D. It's called L.I.F.E. I don't know what that stands for though." Suddenly I got a headache, I'd been getting them a lot recently but didn't tell the guild in case they didn't let me come. After all, we were about to go on the most dangerous mission on record; defeating Zeref once and for all. E.N.D. is the only thing which can perform this task, but at the cost of Natsu's life, which we all agreed was not on the agenda for sacrifice.
"Perhaps if we figure out what L.I.F.E. is and obtain it, then we can destroy the book of E.N.D. before it consumes Natsu and defeat Zeref with the help of Gray's magic?" I suggested, which made all heads turn to me. I hadn't spoken yet. Everybody knew Natsu and I had a strong bond, and there was still the risk of his death. All I got was a lot of 'maybes'. I left the room, knowing where I was going. The Guild's library.
"Levy?" I called, and the short girl came running. "I need your help..." between the two of us and two pairs of Gale Force Reading Glasses, we managed to scan through every book in the guild's library over the span of two days to no avail. People were getting worried. Our only back-up plan was to let E.N.D. kill Natsu. I couldn't let that happen. No way.
One day in the guild, Makarov announced that we were going with Plan B. "No!" I screamed, the voice echoing throughout the guild through the silence. I struggled to my feet but my friends tried to hold me back as tears rolled down my cheeks. "He'll die! Don't you understand? He'll die!" I shrieked, my voice breaking as my breathing became less frequent as less even. "He'll... he'll..." I kept choking on my tears in the back of my throat. "We can't let this happen!" I screeched, furiously trying to break free from my friends' grip. Makarov just gave me a pitying look. "No!" I screamed helplessly as I was dragged away, my friends muttering quiet apologies to people as we passed. "No!" I tried desperately but it was no use. Natsu was going to die.
For speaking out it was 'suggested' that I did not come with them. But I was going to go, my research didn't stop when all hope was lost, and neither did my headaches. I told Levy about them and she just smiled sadly and told me they were because of the grief. I refused to believe this. They started when somebody first mentioned L.I.F.E.
Maybe I was L.I.F.E.?
No. That couldn't be, I'd read that L.I.F.E. was a book, like E.N.D. Someone must have a book, and we'll use that and Natsu will be alright. Surely?
But as the date approached for the guild to set out, this seemingly preposterous view became less unlikely and more my last shred of hope. I looked more into the relationship between demons and the stars and realised my only way of finding out was to contact the Celestial Spirit King. But how was I to do so without sacrificing one of my keys or breaking a rule? I went out to Magnolia Forest and entered a clearing, staggering a little from both my mental and physical exhaustion. I'd been immensely sad following Makarov's announcement.
"Celestial Sprit King, I c-call on thee! Please, take me to the-the Celestial Spirit World! O-Open the gate! Thank...you..." I stuttered, feeling weak. I collapsed on my hands and knees as I shouted, tears stinging my face. My eyes had been red and swollen since the announcement, and I looked shattered with bags under my eyes and a pale complexion. A small smile gradually crept onto my cheeks as a flash of blinding white light took me to the Celestial Spirit World. I hadn't told my spirits about any of this, I didn't want to sadden them. But as they greeted me, and I shielded my face with my curtain of hair, they broke my heart.
"Princess, what is wrong?" Virgo asked. "Should I be punished...?" Her voice trailed off.
"Lucy, my love, what happened?" Loke queried as I shook, crying uncontrollably onto his shoulder as we embraced.
I just pushed Loke away gently and ran past them, too guilty to explain. I ran until I saw the Celestial Spirit King. He understood immediately with his Clairvoyance. "You want to know about L.I.F.E.?" I nodded, burying my face in my hands. "I knew this day would come," he mentioned. "look up, dear Lucy, your mother would tell you to hold your head up high." He chided and I did so.
"L.I.F.E. is not a book as you have thought," He explained. "L.I.F.E. is a type of magic with only one user," I sighed and stared at my feet - they were probably dead, didn't want to help or I'd never find them anyway. "Lucy, that holder is you." My head snapped up. I was in disbelief, pointing at myself. "Yes, you. But listen, old friend, because there are things you need to know." I bit my lip - there was always a catch.
"L.I.F.E. may be E.N.D.'s counterpart, but you got a little muddled," I laughed, wiping my eyes. That sounds like something I'd do. "Zeref made a mistake, E.N.D. will not kill him, it will only destroy his last hope of death, L.I.F.E. This is not a fight between 'life' and 'death', per-say, you must leave the demon slayers to destroy the book of E.N.D. or E.N.D. itself." I flinched - so Gray would have to fight Natsu. I guess that's destiny for you. "Either way, L.I.F.E. is the only thing that can kill Zeref. You must go to Zeref and summon this power in you. L.I.F.E. is something even better than the Second Origin. L.I.F.E. gives you the power to call upon all your Spirits at once, for an unlimited amount of time as long as L.I.F.E. is in effect. It also gives you powers much akin to those of God slayers." I gasped. God slayers were extremely powerful.
"Unison Raid and even Urano Metria are easy spells for L.I.F.E. to cast, Lucy, which makes it very dangerous. You shouldn't battle with Zeref if there are loved ones close by, because you will be much less aware of them once L.I.F.E. is activated." He warned, and I took note. "You can also use a spell only L.I.F.E. you knows. I cannot tell you what it is called, the knowledge of it outside your L.I.F.E. capacities could tire you greatly. Don't worry, for when the time comes old friend, you shall know the incantation." He smiled sadly. So what was the catch?
As if he read my mind, he continued. "The catch," there was a pause. "is that you may die." I nodded, in a way it was expected. In a twist of fate, either Natsu or I could live. There was no in between. "This spell I just mentioned calls upon the power of all the spirits, even Aquarius." I choked on the mention of her. "Sorry, but it must be known to you. You must find Yukino, if she lends you her power, whether it be in Unison Raid or bestowing upon you her keys, if the 12 keys of the Zodiac are lent to L.I.F.E. you cannot fail." I nodded determinedly. I turned to leave.
"Lucy,"
I turned back around. "this should be a choice you need to think of. There is a great chance that you shall pass during the battle. Whether you win or lose. E.N.D. also can kill you easily if the book is opened. After all, Zeref made a fatal mistake - if you don't defeat him, Zeref will tear the whole world apart to achieve death. It won't happen, he is immortal except in the eyes of the heavens. If you so wish, I can pass L.I.F.E. onto Yukino, but once it is activated, you can't go back. Choose wisely, Lucy Is For Eternity." I nodded.
"With all due respect, sir," I laughed through my tears. "there is no choice. I would give up my life a million times for Natsu Dragneel to live." I smiled, walking off.
