Future Lucy stood at the back of the group, her expression growing increasingly troubled.
"Wait..."
She covered her forehead.
"In the future I remember, everyone from Sabertooth died."
Lucy turned to look at her.
"Sabertooth?"
Future Lucy nodded.
"They fought the dragons, but every last one of them was wiped out."
"Future Rogue never traveled to that era at all, and there was no so-called Eclipse Plan."
She looked up at everyone.
"The future I experienced is completely different from the one he described."
Mirajane frowned.
"In other words, he didn't come from your future."
Ultear immediately understood.
"Lu Chongwei said that different points in time could give rise to different futures."
"Future Rogue came from another timeline."
Yukino continued, "In that timeline, the Eclipse Gate was closed, the dragons descended, and the world was destroyed."
"That's why he was so desperate to ensure the Eclipse Gate would open."
Lucy looked at Future Lucy.
"This isn't your fault."
"You didn't destroy the world."
Wendy nodded firmly.
"We all believe in you."
Happy flew to Future Lucy's side.
"Lucy would never do something like that!"
Carla added, "They're both futures, yet the outcomes are completely different. That proves the future isn't fixed."
Future Lucy lowered her head.
She had lived alone in a ruined world for far too long.
But now, no one doubted her.
Lucy reached out and took her hand.
"We'll change that future."
"This time, no one will die again."
Future Lucy's eyes reddened, and she nodded hard.
The night grew deeper.
The moon in the sky was completely swallowed by a bloody hue.
The entire royal capital seemed blanketed in red light.
They continued onward.
After walking some distance, Lucy suddenly stopped.
Her body froze in place.
"No..."
"The reason..."
She quietly repeated those two words.
Future