Chapter 4
"Loke!"
Lucy frantically rang in horror and utter shock while her eyes went wide.
After a moment of recovery, she tried to nudge the chains from her hands with her power only to have worn out even more. "U-ugh.. Loke" Her legs quiver making her kneel.
"Lucy.. S-Stop!" Gemini wailed. They could feel their master's power draining fast.
The celestial mage inhaled deeply. Her magic was depleting while her body was trembling in exhaustion. With the last thug on the chains, she bent her body and hung her head low. Her hope to save her friends was also draining and with that her eyes started to fill with tears. "Natsu.."
"LUUUUUCCCCYYYYYYY!"
Her head snap back up after hearing a familiar roar. A smile curled up to her lips. Moments ago she was crumbling to her dark side and now she was instantly lifted by the scream of her nakama.
With all the air she could inhale, she released it with a scream.
"NATSUUUU!"
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-Castle Tower-
"Lucy.." Natsu emitted flames to his fists with a confident grin plastered to his face. Hearing his blonde friend scream his name somehow gave him more will power to fight.
"YOOOOSHHH! Happy let's fly and get Lucy back."
"Aye!" Happy magically let his wings appeared and grabbed Natsu from behind. Combining his maximum speed technique with Natsu's fire allowed them to get pass through the enemies faster.
Finally reaching the ground, he blast the wooden door open and walked in with Happy. Checking from left to right of the hallway, Natsu ran after deciding where to go with Happy following him.
The fire mage smelled someone close to them and jumped away as soon as a blade coming from his shadow was about to hit him.
"You are not going anywhere."
Natsu didn't spare a moment and started attacking them man. Lucy needed him and he doesn't want to waste a second on anyone else. However his punches were easily avoided by Chase and when his enemy turned back into shadow and circled him, he let his fist glow brighter and punch the walls only to fail to catch his enemy.
"Natsu!" Happy warned him when he saw a shadow creep near him.
The blades were too many for Natsu to escape but he was not deeply injured. Chase on the other hand was nowhere to be seen until Natsu looked at the shadow that appeared behind Happy.
His instinct quickly responded and pushed his exceed away from harm causing him to take the impact the from the shadow user.
Chase left the shadows and used his weight to push the blade that was piercing through Natsu's shoulder. The fire mage held the silver weapon to keep it from getting any deeper. He winced in pain but looked at his enemy intently as he prepare for another attack.
The shadow mage kick Natsu right on his stomach strong enough to make him fly a mile away.
He turned his body to land on his feet only to be trapped in an egg-shaped glass. Natsu desperately punched the glass with his burning fists. "What the hell is this?!"
"Natsu!" Happy flew immediately to Natsu but was pulled by the tail. Chase didn't take a second to think when he threw the exceed at the wall.
"Happy!" Natsu growled in anger. He tried to break or atleast crack the glass trap but nothing happened. Suddenly his eyes felt heavy and his body felt weak. "W-why do I feel weak.."
Chase went to the fire mage and as soon as he was infront of him, a keyboard magically appeared. He started tapping the buttons that showed information from Natsu's vital organs to his memories.
He couldn't let himself give up now especially since Lucy needs him but his body is telling him otherwise. "Damn.. it.."
The shadow user looked at Natsu and spoke softly. "Goodnight Salamander."
With a last attempt to hit the glass, Natsu slowly fell on the ground and everything turned black.
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-Castle Grounds-
"Damn it! Where is she?"
Gray ran wildly as he looked from door to door for his blonde friend.
Leaving Erza didn't make him worry at all knowing the sword mage could handle herself. He just couldn't ignore the scream he heard a while ago. Lucy was always in trouble but they were always there when she needed them and if they weren't, her spirits would but for some reason she was in pain and no one was there for her.
That scream made that conclusion for him.
His thoughts were interrupted when the wall next to him flew into bits, showing a blonde woman with a sword walk towards him.
"Ara? What a very handsome boy. Too bad I have to mess it up." Coordinator smirked mockingly at her enemy.
The ice mage quickly slammed his fist to his other hand then he ran and started blasting ice to his opponent.
"How ill-natured of a man are you? Isn't it wrong to hit a woman?" The blonde mage easily dodged the ice and sliced her way through to him
"I don't care if you're a woman. I'll fight anyone who dares to hurt my friends." Attacking a woman never bothered him as long as it was within reason and he is sure as hell he has more than enough reason to fight after hearing Lucy's scream.
He attacked with his ice once more but Coordinator sliced them easily with her sword and when Gray stops attacking, she held her sword with both hands and raised it. Upon seeing her look, the black hair mage hastily ran out of her way after she swiftly moved her sword.
Suddenly the wall where Gray was seconds ago was sliced in half.
Her pace quicken making it difficult for the ice mage to attack her. Finding that nothing will happen from dodging the attacks, he created a spike like shield big enough to cover him but unfortunately her slices were strong enough to match Titania's attacks.
Taking advantage of his surprise composure, she went behind him and kick his back making him stumble to her trap. "AUGH!"
The glass shut close before he could stand. Gray tried to break it but his powers seem to be depleting when he uses it. Suddenly he felt his eyesight went hazy.
"Trap just like a rat."
"No he is not!" With one slice, the glass shattered in pieces.
Erza helped Gray stand when she saw him lose balance. "Are you ok?"
The ice mage only responded with a groan. He wasn't feeling any good after being inside the glass which made him create a mental note for him to watch out for those.
"Titania. How good to see you again." Coordinator smirked evilly as she walked towards her. Her eyes shine in excitement. She was finally going to get her revenge.
"Are you finally married or are you still playing bride?" Raising her hand towards her in order to dispel her armour.
"W-what?" Erza was caught off guard by her question while ignoring the fact that her suit was dispelled. She was the type of person to take everything seriously and when it comes to those kinds of topic, she immediately gets flushed and lost with words.
"Aren't you gonna wear your wedding dress to fight me?" She held her sword and made her stance. The last time she fought the red haired mage, she was defeated in seconds after Titania wore the white gown.
"Wedding dress?" Gray didn't understand much of their conversation since he felt dizzy. He gave her a questioning look making Titania blush.
She couldn't possibly tell him that she bought herself a wedding dress and there was no way she would wear it in front of her nakama.
"NEVER! I am not wearing that thing infront of you." She pointed at Gray with her face red from embarrassment.
The ice mage only looked confused at her. He didn't even know what they were talking about.
Seeing that they were preoccupied, Coordinator quickly attacked making both of them jump out of her way.
Gray made a sword out of his magic and tossed it towards Erza. "Use that."
Erza held the sword and inspect it. She never used an ice sword before so her curiosity stroked her. "The weight could be changed and its appearance is plane but overall it looks useable."
"Oi." Gray looked at her displeased. He just made a sword for he and she judges it immediately.
The sword mage rip part of her skirt and wrapped it around the handle of the ice sword. It was a fine weapon but she couldn't use it well if she gets frost bite from it.
Soon both sword mages were fighting. Gray stepped aside since he felt his magic was a bit drained. He was inside that trap for only seconds and he felt the weak already. The egg-shape glass was a something he has to look out for.
"You are strong but your sword isn't!" the blonde mage re-equipped to a fire armour to give full attack on Titania.
This caught Erza by surprise making her easily pushed by Coordinator's sword. The ice sword crack and as soon as it broke, she was blasted by the flames by her opponent's weapon.
"Erza!"
Seeing this made Gray ran to catch her only to be pushed by her body from the impact making both of them fall to another trap set on the floor. "Shit!"
"What is this?" Erza tapped the glass and was going to reequip to her armour until Gray took her wrist.
"Don't. This thing doesn't break from the inside and it will only drain you if you use your magic." The ice mage explained
Erza took notice of her teammate's form and he was indeed appeared to look a bit weak. She turned her head to her enemy and glared at her.
"Where is Lucy? What have you done to her?"
"Lucy? Oh you mean the blonde girl Dyst beat up. I have to hand it to you fairies, after being beat up like that you are still alive but she must be hanging by a thread by now." Coordinator grin as she held her hand to press the buttons of the keyboard that appeared infront of her.
"HE WHAT?!" Gray slammed his fist on the glass regardless of feeling worn out. Lucy was hurt by a man and that man was named Dyst. The same guy they fought and won against with but a life in exchange to pay for it.
Now that man has Lucy. He couldn't even let his mind imagine the things he could have done to their celestial mage. He gritted his teeth and his eyes glared at the blonde mage.
"I'M GOING TO BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF ALL OF YOU!"
Erza was furious as well but not only to her enemies but to herself. She made a promise that she would protect Lucy and keep her from sacrificing for them like she did before but they were trap. Unless they find a way to get out of this, she would be risking Lucy's strength again and would need to depend on her which she was hoping to avoid.
"I don't see that happening from there." She finally pressed one button that made both of the fairy mages grew weak. "I'll make sure she's taken care of for you."
"Don't.. Touch her.." Gray said until he fell unconscious.
Erza tried to keep her eyes at the enemy. Her weak state made her mind a bit blurry making her hallucinate that the enemy look like Lucy.
"Lucy.."
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-Castle Grounds-
Rouge and Sting were able to enter the castle from the back. It would seem that they have defeated most of the enemies since the area where they were had no presence of people at all.
As soon as they saw that it was clear to pass through, they ran in search of Lucy.
Rouge still had her scent but the more he tried to sniff for her the more he grew worry.
He could smell blood.
Her blood.
And a lot of it.
If he doesn't get to her soon, he might never be able to tell her the things he desperately wanted to say to her before. He speeds up his pace ignoring that his blonde partner was following behind him.
She's there, she's finally so close. He wouldn't let himself feel wary now. There was no point of hesitating to see her because he might never get a chance next time. Rogue took her scent and blasted the doors and objects that were on his way.
He is going to save her no matter what.
Sting got a whiff of blood and wondered who it belongs to. His eyes went wide when he realized that it was that blood that they were following. Wouldn't that mean that this was blondie's then?
He clenched his fist and composed himself. There was no way blondie was dead. She was fine a while ago and they arrive not long enough so she should be okay but he couldn't help feel worried and angry. If he didn't hesitate to talk to her before then maybe none of this would have happen. They would be together and he would protect her from any harm.
This was not going to be the final time he would see her. He'll rescue her and as soon as he's with her, he'll apologise and tell her everything.
"Wait for me blondie.. I'm going to save you.."
Suddenly gun shots came from behind them caught their attention. They were quick enough to dodge the enemy's attack.
"Good job dodging that. Let's see you survive this!" Canon shot huge missiles towards the twin dragon slayers.
Sting and Rogue spread out to avoid it and ran towards their opponent. The light mage extended his leg to kick his enemy while the shadow mage release his power through his fist and started attacking.
Regardless of Canon using a long range type of magic, he easily able to stop their attacks with his arms and legs. He then directs his guns at them making both of the sabertooth mages back away.
Canon grin cockily and started shooting on the floor.
"What the hell is he doing?" Sting raised his eye brow in question but then he suddenly felt the ground shake.
Without a warning, the ground started to crumble making both of them fall. Canon was able to make the ground unsteady from the first attack he did on them.
"Damn it!"
Sting shook his head in attempt to remove the rumble of his head while he used his left hand to dust away the remains off from his clothes.
He was about to walk when he felt himself hit some glass. "Ow! What is this?"
Using his fist, he tried to knock the glass down but it didn't budge. He released some of his power only to feel exhausted after. "W-what?"
"No use doing that boy. This thing sucks your magic and life force." Canon started tapping on the keyboard infront of him.
"R-Rogue?" He looked at his teammate only to see that he was trapped in an egg-shaped glass container like his and was unconscious.
Slowly his body felt heavy making him kneel. His eyes desperately try to stay open but he couldn't hold much longer.
"Damn it…"
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-Castle Main Hall-
"Salamander won't save you Heartfilia." Dyst looked down on her with an evil grin on his face.
Lucy could only stare weakly at him. She was only conscious because she heard Natsu and she believes that he can save all of them but for some reason she grew worry. He should be there burning the place to the ground by now but he isn't.
"Natsu.."
Suddenly a two dimensional mirror appeared beside Dyst showing other area of the castle.
"I got the fire mage." Chase reported as he showed an unconscious Natsu in a glass container.
"NATSU!"
They got Nastu! Her strong wild fire mage was knocked out by the enemy. She couldn't believe it herself but the image looked so real.
Another mirror came and showed Gray and Erza in the same container. Their eyes close and their faces looked a bit pale. "Got you some fairies Dyst."
"ERZA! G-GRAY!"
Lucy clutches her fist. This isn't happening. Her team was unconscious and she isn't sure how long it would take for their back up from her guild and sabertooth to get where they were.
"I got two from the back." Canon reported as the mirror appeared.
She looked at the last mirror and saw two sabertooth mages trapped in the same looking glass container her team was kept.
"Sting..? Rogue..?"
They got the twin dragon slayer too?
"I couldn't possibly use my own magic would I?" Dyst faced the mirrors and looked at Salamander.
"I would need powers of a lot of mages to make this ritual happen."
"W-what are you.. Talking about?" Lucy was losing blood and magic. She was beyond her limit of keeping her spirits in the same world as hers.
"I'm going to use their magic as well as the magic of all mages here in Hargeon!" Dyst let his hands shine in power, activating more of his contraption to proceed with his plan.
The blonde mage was petrified. Her eyes wide and shaking. Was he really going to sacrifice that number of people for his stupid ritual?
He would.
A man who could hurt anyone without remorse could never be taken lightly.
She was terrified knowing that she was the only one who was conscious and will be able to do something until their back up arrives. However she was in chains, unable to move.
Her tears started to flow once more. How could this be happening?
Maybe if she didn't get her team involved or maybe if she didn't alert the enemy the time she saw Lector and Frosch being kidnap then maybe none of this would have happen.
Her thoughts were cut short when Gemini spoke. They were still in the image of Yukino. The chains kept their power making them unable to change back.
"Lucy.. Listen.. Use our us.. We're already here after all.."
The celestial mage looked at her spirit questionably. How were they supposed to fight if they were in chains like her?
"You don't need to use a lot of magic.. Our bonds will be our strength.. That's what special about being a celestial mage.. The bonds you share with your nakamas and spirits is enough to give you power." Gemini smiled at her.
"You have to break our key and summon Celestial Spirit King.." They knew she wouldn't be okay with the idea but they had no choice. They are willing to sacrifice never to be summoned again in order to save their beloved master.
It was something they have contemplated on. They love Lucy so much and they couldn't let anything happen to her. If this was a sacrifice they must do then so be it.
Her eyes went wide and her tears started to flow faster. No! Not this again. She wasn't going to let what happen to Aquarius happen to any of her spirits. She promised herself that.
"N-NO! I won't sacrifice you. We'll find a way! Wendy might be here soon. We'll be okay.. We don't have to do that!" Her voice was trembling. She knew that it would take time for their back up to reach them but she couldn't lose hope.
"Lucy.. You know it's the only way.. Don't worry.. We could talk through plue whenever we want. We'll always support you so please Lucy.. Live.." They gave her the best smile they could possibly give through Yukino's image.
"No! I don't want to do this again! Let's find another way.. Please.." she pleaded them to stop. Asking her to sacrifice them was unthinkable.
"You have to stop relying on others!"
She then vaguely remembers Aquarius voice in her head.
"Only you can save your friends now!"
Lucy slowly took the key from her case. Dyst didn't bother taking them from her because the chains were keeping her from using her magic anyway.
Her hands were shaking. She looked at her spirit once more and turn her head to Gemini's golden key.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Gemini took one last look at their master. They love her dearly especially after defending all celestial spirits in her battle with their previous master Angel.
"I OPEN THEE.."
She made contract with them and never treated them like objects. She treated them like they were family.
"GATE OF.."
She was an amazing master and friend.
It was a short time but they loved every minute they were able to spend with her.
"Thank you Lucy..thank you for everything.."
"CELESTIAL SPIRIT KING!"
The castle was silent until thunders were rambling outside. Rain started to pour and the winds were string that it broke the glass of the windows of the castle. The sky went dark and the clouds circled above the palace.
"What did you do?!" Dyst shout in anger as he ran towards her.
The Celestial Spirit King descended from the heavens and cut through the castle making it crumble to pieces.
"W-what's going on?!" Coordinator was surprised however it didn't keep her from protecting her trap from breaking. Though the glass could not be broken from the inside, it was fragile from the outside. Its' structure was different from inside and out.
She couldn't afford to let Titania escape. The fairy mage would probably beat her in no time.
Canon was surprised as well. He couldn't believe that in one move the whole palace was destroyed. There were no longer upper floors and from where he stands, he could see Dyst and the other members of Carbuncle.
He tried to shoot anything that tried to break the trap he was protecting. This was the source of magic they need to open another realm. He can't let anything break it.'
Chase on the other hand sliced everything that was falling over the egg-shaped glass trap that contains the Salamander.
He looked above him and saw the castle no longer had a roof. It was exposed to the outside, letting the rain rush down on them.
"A-augh.."
Dyst pulled Lucy's hair to make him face her. He was mad beyond his capacity to handle. How did this weakling summoned a spirit with chains sucking every ounce of her magic?
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!"
"Let go of my old friend, Human."
The Celestial Spirit King wasn't pleased on how the man was treating his beloved celestial spirit mage. He knew that being summoned by her means she desperately needed his help. After all, the girl argued to him, a king of all spirits, to protect her friend Leo.
"You who made my old friend she tears will be annihilated!"
Dyst took his hand away from Lucy and raised both of his hands. He smirked at the spirit as if he was not threatened by his presence.
"You think that this is the first time I went through other realms?"
He looked at Lucy as he her chin to make her face him.
"I went through a lot of worlds and got me some beings as well."
He forced Lucy too look above to see a creature covered in heavy dark scale that was emitting dark magic and wide wings descending where the Celestial King came from.
The monster was as big as the Spirit King.
"Now. Heartfilia. Le's see who would win."