Chapter 8 - The Stars and Heavens
Waterfall, Karen Lilica's grave
It started as seemingly harmful flirting, which turned into awkwardness, then distancing, then more flirting and finally some awkwardness with a tad bit of depression. It was about a couple days ago that Lucy was finally able to approach Loke. As mentioned before, it was mainly Loke being awkward and trying to flirt with Lucy every little chance he got.
Then lately he started to get sentimental. He had said something about the stars falling and how they can never return.
"The sad thing about falling stars is that they can never return to heaven once they fall." he said before disappearing into the night.
The next night, Lucy decided to do some research on Loke seeing as he started to become more distant as hardly anyone had seen him that day. She summoned her Crux from her silver gate keys and used his ability to find any information he could on Loke and his relationship with celestial spirits. The old man fell asleep which turned out to be his way of researching followed by him waking up with a loud a scream.
Although unable to reveal too much, Crux revealed that Loke had a relationship with Karen Lilica, a celestial wizard from Blue Pegasus. That's when the shocking news came, Gray arrived at Lucy's house and revealed that Loke left the guild and everyone is searching the town for him. Which immediately lit a fire under Lucy's behind making her run off on her own with an idea as to where Loke is.
Which leads her to where she is right now, on a cliff in front of a waterfall overlooking Karen's grave. Right there, Loke was in front of the grave slowly fading in and out of existence.
"There you are!" Lucy called out.
"Lucy." Loke replied in acknowledgement.
"That's Karen's grave isn't it?" Lucy asked surprising Loke. "She was a great celestial wizard and she had a contract with you, right?" she asked. "Your name is actually Leo the Lion." Loke's silence was enough of an answer. "My heroic spirits aren't the only ones I summon. So it wasn't too difficult to dig up the truth." she said.
"It's been three years since my contract broke." Loke replied surprising Lucy with his immense strength. "I can't go back though. I broke a fundamental law that applies to both the wizard and spirit. As a result, I was banished from my world for eternity." he stated.
Loke then proceeded to explain that Karen was an abusive mage. Often using another spirit, Aries, as a shield and forcing her on men such as her debt collectors. Until one day, he got fed up and demanded Karen to break the contracts with him and Aries. It resulted in an argument where Loke forced himself to stay in the human world.
Karen of course tried to force him to obey her, but it ultimately failed. A few months later, Karen died on a mission and wasn't strong enough to handle opening another gate. Loke blamed himself and was banished for his reckless action. Although it was indirect, he took responsibility for his wizard's death which he saw as murder.
"When someone dies, they're gone forever. I wish I could bring her back, but that's not possible. My death will be the only way to even the score." Loke said before he fell as he began to fade at a more rapid pace. "Before I go, I want to thank you Lucy. For restoring my faith in celestial wizards." he said gratefully.
"Wait! I can save you. You can't give up yet." Lucy pleaded.
"That's impossible, I broke the law and now I am being punished." Loke said in a defeated tone.
"It wasn't your fault that Karen died! Open gate of the lion! Take Leo back to the celestial world!" Lucy pleaded. "Please open!" she pleaded more.
"Calm down, it's okay." Loke said.
"It's not okay! I can't just sit here while my friend disappears right before my eyes!" Lucy yelled as her body was surrounded by golden energy. "Open gate of the lion!" Lucy continued to plead as her magic circuits started to surround her body.
"Stop it! You're going to use up all your magical energy like this!" Loke pleaded.
"Whatever it takes! I'm gonna save you Loke!" Lucy said as she continued to spread ever ounce of her energy. "I will return you the celestial world. I will open your gate." she promised.
"It's to dangerous!" Loke warned.
"Open gate of the lion. Open!" Lucy continued to plead as her circuits and magic started to go haywire.
"It's not going to open for you! They're not going to let me go back!" Loke said as he continued to plead for Lucy to stop.
"What's the point of magic power if you can't use it to save the people you care about?" Lucy asked.
"Don't let me live with the guilt of killing you too!" Loke pleaded.
"You didn't kill Karen. Whoever decided that is wrong!" Lucy exclaimed.
And then suddenly, everything went still and silent. The energy fluctuation stopped and a portal opened up revealing a large figure.
"That's impossible, it's him. The celestial spirit king." Loke said as the titan sized man looked upon them. "What is he doing here?" he asked.
"He's the king, the ruler of the spirit world?" Lucy asked with a face full of shock.
"Hello, my old friend." the king said in a powerful booming voice. "As you know, both wizards and spirits must obey celestial law. And taking the life of a key holder is forbidden under any circumstance. Though not by your hand, you are still responsible for your key holder's death, Leo the lion. Therefore, you are banished from the celestial world for eternity" he explained.
Lucy didn't like the sound of it and was willing to call bullshit on that claim, "Hold on! That doesn't seem fair at all!" she exclaimed.
"Lucy stop." Loke said only to be ignored.
"Old friend, human girl. I made my judgement and my word is law." the king stated surprising Loke that he would go as far as to tell some random mage that he is on the right despite Lucy's claims.
"Loke has been suffering in the human world for three long years. He didn't kill Karen but he did stand up to her for Aries." Lucy said defending Loke and unintentionally entering her Dress of Heaven.
"I do admit, it pains me to see an old friend suffering." the king stated which just gave Lucy more ammo as she started marching to the edge of the cliff to stare down at the titan flying above her.
"If he's your old friend then why do you let him suffer!?" Lucy continued to demand as she continued to argue with an unshakable resolve. "So open your eyes moustachio!" she insulted.
"Moustachio?" the king asked although from a certain angle, they looked more like nose hairs.
"Karen died because she took on a job she couldn't handle. He had nothing to do with it. Your verdict is unfair!" Lucy said as her magical circuits started glowing.
"Lucy stop! It doesn't matter if the verdict is changed. I'm not looking for forgiveness." Loke said stubbornly. "I want to disappear and finally be free from this guilt." he added.
"I won't let you!" Lucy said as she started radiating more power.
(Fate Apocrypha OST - Affection)
"You disappearing isn't going to bring Karen back. Your death won't fix anything, but hurt everyone else instead!" Lucy said as her power started to raidated all over the place. "It wasn't your fault!" she said as her celestial spirits appeared beside her.
However it didn't end there. Loke and the Celestial Spirit King looked around as the energy surrounded them. One by one, each energy signature took the shape of a heroic spirit. Everyone that Lucy has come across in the past years has stands tall for their one true master as she refuses to back down to those she believes are unjust.
'Could this girl be...' the king's train of thought was interrupted by more of Lucy's outbursts.
"All it's going to do is create more sadness. You didn't do anything wrong, because it can't be a crime to protect the people you care about." Lucy said.
"She summoned all her spirits at once? Not Even Karen could do that. Even with her rank, she shouldn't be able to handle summoning all those heroes at once." Loke said as he looked dumbstruck.
"Are you really ok with leaving all your friends behind? You would leave me, Aries and everyone else behind." Lucy said before collapsing and returning both celestial and heroic spirits.
"Would you stop? You're gonna end up like Karen if you keep this up. Don't risk your life." Loke said trying to convince Lucy to stay down.
Meanwhile the king was contemplating everything he heard and just witnessed, "Hearing you speaking so highly of my old friend has led me to think maybe it is not his actions, but the law itself that should be put in question." he started to say. "Leo was forced to commit his crime to protect Aries, his brethren, and the human girl is willing to risk her life to save Leo." he said shocking the pair about his change of judgement. "I am so moved by your bonds of loyalty, I shall make an exception in this case. Leo the lion, you are hereby granted return passage to the celestial world." he said.
(End of Song)
"You're awesome. Thanks moustachio!" Lucy said giving the king a thumbs up, making him grin.
"You are exonerated. be grateful to the guidance of the stars." the king said as he started to disappear.
"I have to make it up to her. Please sir." Loke pleaded.
"Very well then. If you insist on atoning for your actions in the past, then I hereby order you to live your life in the service of your friend. The Holy Maiden and you are lucky to find such a loyal friend. So I suggest you protect her with all your life just as she fought to save yours." the king said before he left the human world.
"You heard him." Lucy said as Loke shed a tear.
"Thank you Lucy." Loke said as he held her hand before disappearing.
Lucy looked at her hand to see another golden key. No doubt to summon Loke or Leo the Lion for that matter.
A day later
Loke came back to reveal that he was a celestial spirit. Much to Natsu's surprise who was wondering why he didn't look like an animal. Of course Loke used Virgo as an example when he said that they look human. Natsu's reply was that Virgo could transform into a gorilla when she felt like it while Arthur was looking away and blushing for some reason when they mentioned the pink haired spirit.
With that nonsense out of the way, Loke picked up Lucy and took her to a nearby corner and handed her a few tickets to Akane Resort.
"I already gave a ticket to Erza along with a couple to Vincent since the broody guy would no doubt want to follow you." Loke said.
"Thanks Loke, but you didn't have to go that far." Lucy said feeling appreciative yet a little worried about her friend's spending limit.
"Don't worry about it, I owe you for my life. So it's my way of saying thanks." Loke said before disappearing back to his home.
"Alright, let's go or I'll leave you behind." Erza said appearing dressed and ready to go with her massive luggage.
"I guess I better get the kids ready." Lucy said with a smile.
At Akane Resort, some time later
After a lot of hard work, which was mostly cities being destroyed (although Lucy had to fix most of the damage), the "strongest" team in Fairy Tail enjoyed every moment of their vacation. Although some didn't think that as they saw Vincent's facial expression. Then again he's just like that, he's not emo or anything but he does maintain a serious outlook.
Ventus already knew that and Shirou already accepted it. So they decided to play in the water under the man's supervision.
"Marco." Ventus called out.
"Polo." Shirou called out.
"Marco."
"Polo."
"Marco."
"Polo."
"Your names are Ventus and Shirou." Vincent spoke up.
Both boys opened their eyes and looked at Vincent who's knees were dipped into the water, "Fish out of water!" they yelled as they pointed at Vincent who sighed.
"You two are more strange than Arthur." Vincent said as the older boy could be seen grabbing some ice cream only to pushed into the ground by Natsu who was running past him.
"Stupid dragon slayer." Arthur said as his cone landed on his chest.
Regardless, it was a fun day. And it was also probably going to be a good vacation for Makarov in terms of the "strongest" team being out of active duty for a while. Then again, the old man was likely worrying that they would somehow manage to destroy the resort as well. There was a such thing as having too much fun.
Later that afternoon
While Natsu and Happy went down to the game room and Gray decided to get a couple of drinks for himself. Erza decided to take a quick nap as before heading out with Lucy to spend girl time with her in the casino area. Leaving Lucy to prepare a nice dress for her evening out.
"So while I'm gone, Vincent and Arthur are in charge. Shirou be in bed by 10pm and the same goes to you Ventus." Lucy said as she started unpacking her clothes.
"Aw, big sis why do you have to be such a downer?" Ventus asked.
A creepy smirk appeared on the blonde girl's face, "If you'd like, maybe black Lucy form 2 could tuck you in for the night." she suggested.
Suddenly Shirou was already in bed pretending to be asleep, "Shirou you coward!" Ventus said.
"Now behave yourselves while I'm gone." Lucy said after she quickly changed into a red dress with a sideways ponytail.
"Ventus, do as she says or else she'll summon a gorilla." Shirou whispered.
Arthur looked away as that blush suddenly appeared, "I don't think Virgo appreciates being called a gorilla. Although I think she's more into being punished herself rather than being the one to enforce punishment." Vincent pointed out while eyeing Arthur's pink tint.
"I also doubt she would make a better babysitter." Lucy said.
"I wouldn't mind having Virgo around." Arthur muttered.
"Did you say something sweety?" Lucy asked.
"I said... I wouldn't mind anyone, but Aquarius around." Arthur lied.
"The last thing I need is for her to get snappy with me raising my kids." Lucy said as she went out of the door.
A minute after she left, Vincent spoke up, "Ok, what is going on between with you and the maid?" he asked Arthur.
"Nothing!" Arthur said.
"And I thought I would be scared about the day Ventus and Stella became teens. Now I have a hormonal teenager to worry about." Vincent said with a facepalm.
"What does that mean?" Shirou asked obliviously.
"Ask your mother when you're older." Vincent replied leaving a confused child.
The casino, a while later
After catching up with Erza, Lucy made her way down to the casino floor where the two lovely ladies decided to try their hand at cards. With Erza surprising her friend at her amazing luck. Which managed to draw in a large crowd as they watched her win. At least until the dealer had changed shifts with another young man.
"This hot streak is just getting started." Erza said with much confidence in her voice.
"So how about we raise the stakes, sister?" asked a tanned young man with blond hair.
Erza looked afraid, "It can't be. Sho? Is that you?" she asked.
"So you do remember me." Sho said.
"Erza, do you know him?" Lucy asked.
"You're alive?" Erza asked.
Suddenly the lights had gone off. Which left the two Fairy Tail wizards in the dark with no idea as to how close they were to the danger that they are in. By the time they came back on, Sho appeared behind them and started dropping several cards from his sleeves. Both women looked down to see that the people in the room were trapped inside of the cards like prisoners.
"You know magic?" Erza asked as her fear stricken face had never left.
"You're not the only one with powers anymore." Sho said surprising his supposed sister.
"Who taught you?" Erza asked as she feared her old friend's intentions.
"Meow." said someone from behind Lucy as some strange orange rope wrapped her up.
"Let her go!" Erza demanded.
"Well, aren't you all rosy?" asked some feline like girl.
"Millianna?" Erza asked.
"It's been a while, Erza." Millianna said looking happy.
"Please, you have to let her go. She's a friend of mine." Erza pleaded.
"Meow, a friend?" Millianna asked.
"We were friends. Good friends." Sho said. "At least until you decided to betray us." Sho said while looking intense.
"Hey cut the dame some slack will ya?" asked a man that looked like he was made of Lego bricks.
"Wally? You practice magic as well?" Erza asked.
"It's not that hard once you get the hang of it." said a man with a metallic jaw wearing a turbine. "Of course, you know that wouldn't you?" asked the man.
"Simon." Erza said stiffly.
Lucy soon fell and yelped in pain, "Erza, who are these people? Why is he calling you sister?" she asked.
"We all grew up together. Before I joined Fairy Tail." Erza answered before pleading for Lucy to be released.
The one named Wally turned his hand into some sort of gun and aimed it for Lucy's head. Only for Erza to step in the way only to be shot in the back. Lucy was shocked by the action and noticed that they were picking up Erza and taking her away.
"Someone! Anyone! Just come out already!" Lucy yelled out.
"No one is coming blondie, see? Those ropes of... what the?" Wally stopped himself as three lights appeared in front of Lucy.
The lights cleared up and revealed Jaguar Man, Artoria and Nikola Tesla who were ready to throw down. Before Erza's "siblings" could attack, the catsuit wearing servant slammed her cat paw shaped staff on the ground.
"How dare you hurt Lucy and truss her up in a kinky fashion!? At the very least you could offer to buy her dinner first!" she yelled.
"Super kitty!" Millianna yelled with stars in her eyes.
"Well it's time to make this cat sleep with the fishes." Wally said as he tried to shoot her only for the servant to smash him to bits. "Ok that dame is way too fast." he added as he tried to pick himself up.
"We have no time waste. Sho, take Erza out of here." Simon said as he tried to look for the feline servant.
"Jaguar Kick!" the servant yelled she slammed her foot down on his head.
"Kitty!" Millianna squealed as she hugged Jaguar man.
"Nyah! Get off me crazy girl!" Jaguar Man demanded as she tried to push Millianna off.
As Sho started getting away, Simon tried to shoot a laser from his eye only to be electrocuted from behind by Tesla. Simon attempted to take him on using hand to hand combat, but the Archer was more agile than he looked and kept hitting him from a distance. Meanwhile Wally was trying to shoot at Artoria who kept smashing all his body parts with her sword. It didn't help that she was too fast for him to hit from behind.
Lucy was fairing better than her enemies as she managed to break the rope around her. Apparently her old magic wasn't susceptible to the rope which was a basic restraint. Although these guys didn't look like it, they are very likely a high C possibly low B class level threat. However it helps that they don't have as much experience or extended inventory of magic. So breaking out of the rope wouldn't be so difficult.
Once free, Lucy immediately changed to her Dress of Heaven and decided to step in. Only to notice another pair in the room that didn't look too friendly. Upon arrival, a white haired man with red sunglasses wearing a black trenchcoat and a red vest.
"You are all such disappointments." the man said as he red light could be seen glowing from under his glove. "Deal with the pests Assassin." he said as a red haired man in asian attire appeared.
The red haired servant quickly struck his palms against Artoria which sent her into a wall. Tesla kept his distance as he grabbed the enemy servant's attention by striking him with lightning. Which left Lucy to deal with the servant as Artoria regained her composure.
"I will deal with you at another time Maiden." the man said as he tossed a smoke bomb and helped Simon get up and take Erza away.
"I won't let you! Ark!" Lucy shouted as she tried to hit them from a distance.
"Lucy watch out!" Artoria said as she tackled her away from one of the servant's palm strikes.
"Thanks Artoria!" Lucy said as she recovered and avoided a lightning strike that sent the Assassin crashing into a wall.
"I'll hold him off. Just save your friend!" Tesla said as he and Jaguar Man engaged the assassin.
With Lucy and Artoria
Lucy soon realized that she was too late, but found herself in the middle of a destroyed room. Oddly enough she found Gray and Juvia with the latter being held against a wall by Vincent who pointed his gun at her.
"I swear I'm telling the truth!" Juvia told Vincent who was an inch away from pulling the trigger.
"Hey Vincent, just put her down. She saved my life right now." Gray said as he tried to pry his arms off of her.
"Gray-sama! You do care!" Juvia said happily.
"Vincent put her down!" Lucy called out.
Vincent nodded as he put the water mage down, "Have you seen the attackers by chance? They took Erza and ran off. One of them had an Assassin class servant with them and the master ran off." Artoria said.
Vincent narrowed his eyes, "We should go, we don't have any time to waste." he said as lead the group out.
With Shirou and the other boys
"That really hurt! And even worse, they took Happy!" Natsu yelled as Ventus and Shirou helped him up.
"Pretty sure, getting shot in the mouth would kill anyone else." Ventus pointed out.
"Well you wouldn't understand Ven. I'm going to kick that block head's ass when I find him!" Natsu promised. "Then I'm beating up the rest of those jerks and get Happy back!" he yelled before running out.
"A, I don't understand since that would kill me. B, I'm pretty sure he has no idea where he's going." Ven said.
"I hope I don't turn out like that." Shirou said as Arthur chuckled.
"At least you got dragon slayer abilities." Arthur pointed out.
That's when Lucy and the group arrived, "Ok where are they!?" she asked.
"Natsu ran off on his own again and some guys took Happy." Shirou answered.
"Great, first Erza now Happy. Even worse, Natsu is running on his own and we need his nose to track those guys down." Gray said with a sigh.
"How dare that dragon boy fail my beloved!?" Juvia said with much fury.
"I'll go find him..." Lucy stopped as she heard running behind her.
"Hey don't go without us! We beat Assassin! Also these people are trapped in cards!" Jaguar Man yelled out.
"What happened to the other people who ambushed Lucy and Erza?" Artoria asked.
"Oh eh... they got away when Assassin hit me from behind." Jaguar man said with a sheepish smile. Only for Artoria to give her a deadpan stare, "Hey, these palm strikes hurt! Tesla here had to stop his heart just to knock his ass out!" she whined.
"Indeed, I also believe that these people are in need of our assistance." Nikola said as he revealed the terrorized civilians.
Lucy sighed, "Here, I think I can break the spell. Those guys may seem tough at first, but they seem ill experienced in combat." she said as she took the cards.
"We should find the Salamander." Vincent said to Gray and Arthur who followed him.
A while later, at sea
After sealing away the servant and freeing the civilians. The group managed to get their hands on a speedboat rather than some wooden dinghy. Now with Juvia and surprisingly, Jaguar Man, they sailed off to save Erza and Happy.
"How dare they take one of my own! I'll seek vengeance for you Happy! Mostly because the dragon boy is sick." Jaguar Man said as Natsu looked like he was knocking on death's door.
"Blurgh!" was all that Natsu managed to say.
"Hey guys, is it normal for Fioran army ships to be destroyed and scattered across the water?" Arthur asked.
"What kind of question is that?" Gray asked.
"Because I see a bunch of wreckage and dead fish coming close." Arthur pointed out.
Everyone was rather unnerved by the sight of the destruction and dead animals didn't exactly brighten things up. The only thing to make this place look more shady was the giant tower on a nearby island.
"Is that the Tower of Heaven?" Lucy asked having already answered her own question just by looking at the menacing structure.
Eventually the group arrived on the side of the island. Only to notice the heavy amount of guards and strange looking animals overlooking the structure. There was no way they would be able to make it inside without triggering an onslaught.
"I've found an underground passage. We can swim down there and make it in 10 minutes." Juvia said as she resurfaced from the water.
"Yeah... we can't breath that long." Ventus pointed out as Vincent nodded in agreement.
"Then we will use these." Juvia said as she presented a bubble full of air.
"That could work, great idea Juvia." Gray complimented.
"See that Lucy!? Gray-sama praised me and not you!" Juvia said as she shoved her face in front of Lucy's.
"That's fine, I never praise him anyways." Lucy said as she didn't care.
Juvia face faulted, "How dare you!?" she asked.
"No time to waste arguing! We're on a schedule here lady!" Arthur said as he started shaking the water mage.
After an interestingly long swim, everyone managed to make their way through the passage. Everyone having tried to dry off or use their own version of requip magic to replace their clothes, soon found themselves in a whole lot of trouble. Apparently the passage got them in, but not without actually being caught. Thanks a lot Juvia.
"See Lucy!? The author praised me and not you!" Juvia said as she went right into Lucy's face.
"That was sarcasm Juvia." Lucy said with a sweat drop.
"Get the intruders!" one of the guards riding the winged creatures ordered.
"Hey Vincent, do you have any summons on you by any chance?" Ventus asked.
Vincent nodded, "I carry Ifrit along with a couple others, but I can only use one at a time." he answered.
"Ventus you have summons?" Lucy asked.
(FF8 OST - Don't Be Afraid)
Ventus smirked, "You really need to catch up big sis!" he said before revealing an orb in his hand and placing it against his chest. "Come on out Shiva!" he said as the water around them started to freeze a voluptuous blue woman appeared from the water.
"Destroy that woman too!" the guard ordered as the guards charged at her.
"It's been a while Ven, I would love to catch up but clearly this a bad time." Shiva said as she charged her elemental energy. "Diamond Dust!" she yelled as she dashed through a crowd of guards and froze them all in place before shattering where they stood, knocking them out.
"So cool!" Natsu and Gray said at the same time.
"Gray-sama, pay attention to me!" Juvia said as she was sad that some other woman would take her beloved's attention.
"My turn, burn them to a crisp Ifrit!" Vincent said as he shot at the air.
Suddenly things got hot as giant green beast with large horns appeared, "Who would you like me destroy master?" Ifrit asked before being shot at.
"Those guys Ifrit, protect Stella, Ventus and their friends at all cost!" Vincent ordered.
"Very well, Hellfire!" Ifrit yelled as he created a ball of fire and destroyed several bridges where there were soldiers coming down.
"Hey I want one of those!" Natsu whined.
"I wouldn't mind having another ice user as a teammate." Gray said.
"No! Another woman is trying to steal my beloved!" Juvia panicked.
"Guys, I could use some help here!" Arthur said as he was engaging three guards at once.
Shirou jumped in the air and shot a couple dozen arrows into the air, "Let it rain!" he said as the arrows fell all around them and hit several guards before the arrows exploded.
"Good work Shirou and Arthur! I think Virgo and I got it from here!" Lucy said as she started flying in the air and pulled out her golden key.
After cutting down one more guard, Arthur stiffened and blushed, "Virgo...?" he asked.
"This is not a good time to think without your brain lover boy!" Vincent said berating him as he shot a guard that came from behind Arthur.
"Sorry! I was just uh, distracted is all." Arthur lied as he went back to fighting.
"Jaguar Crush!" Jaguar Man yelled as she knocked over some guards into water. "Where is my feline relative!?" she yelled into the face of a guard that she lifted up by his shirt.
"Put me down crazy cat lady!" the man demanded.
"Sure thing!" Jaguar Man said as she tossed him into the water below. "Who's next?" she asked.
"Lucy, why is that servant still out?" Gray asked while avoiding being shot by lasers.
"Gray just ignore her!" Lucy said as she summoned Virgo.
"How may I help you princess?" Virgo asked.
"I need you to punish a good amount of these guys." Lucy said as Virgo nodded and proceeded to spin around and knock more guys over.
Shirou nodded at the sight of the celestial spirit, "You know, I hardly see the celestial spirits anymore since mom pretty much handles summoning a servant now." he said. "I wouldn't mind hanging out with some of the newbies like Virgo and spend some time with them." he added.
Arthur made an evil gaze that would make Juvia proud, 'You will do no such thing Shirou. If anyone's going near Virgo, it's me!' he thought before he started questioning his own sanity.
A few minutes later the fight ended, the enemy guards were either knocked out or fell deep into the water connected to the ocean. Ifrit and Shiva returned to their proper masters and Virgo was staring oddly at Arthur who kept glancing back and forth. Lucy finally saw that something was going on and briefly caught Virgo's attention.
(End of Song)
Virgo lowered her head in hopes that Lucy wouldn't notice, "Will that be all mistress? If so will you be punishing me?" Lucy was about to deny it only to be interrupted. "No? Ok!" she said before disappearing.
"Was Virgo nervous or something?" Shirou asked.
"I guess." Ventus answered.
"What are you guys doing standing around for!? We have to help Happy!" Natsu yelled as he ran off on his own again.
"Damn it Flame brain! Why can't you wait one moment without running off on your own?" Gray asked as the whole group went after him.
Inside, the group was met with a large room and a table covered in food. However, they were met with a couple of shocking things. At the end of the table sat a man an arrogant looking man with blond hair with strange horn like accessories on his head along with strange yet regal armor with a glass of wine in his hand. The other thing was Erza who was bound and gagged in a chair across from him.
"Erza!" almost everyone yelled out as they started untying their red haired friend.
Lucy was one of the few people who was paralyzed with fear as she stared at the man who smiled at her. Ventus went behind Lucy and gripped her leg as he didn't like the sight either. Leaving Vincent who drew his revolver out and aimed for the man's head.
"How? How... how are you still alive?" Lucy asked the man.
"Lucy who is that guy?" Gray asked.
"Big brother..." Ventus muttered.
"His majesty." Vincent said with venom in his voice.
The man chuckled, "Isn't this a lovely reunion Stella? Or what was the new moniker you go by now little sister?" he asked.
"Stella? That's mom's old name." Shirou whispered.
"Shirou stay back, he could be dangerous." Arthur said as he drew his sword out.
"I don't care who he is! He probably ordered that block head to kidnap Erza and shoot me!" Natsu said his fists were covered in flames.
Jaguar Man also looked a bit unnerved as she clutched her weapon, "No it can't be." she muttered.
"To think, while I was seeking you and the grail out. Those pathetic orphans were looking for their surrogate sister and here she is. A close friend of yours Stella." the man said.
Lucy had enough and started charging an Ark in her hands, "How are you alive!?" she demanded.
"The same way as you. I was reborn, you have that brat Firion and his friends to thank for my original demise." the man said bitterly.
"Then what the hell are you doing here?" Lucy asked as she was still unnerved.
"I've come to see the progress of my little minions. Along with testing my new little toys, although I would say it is a shame to see that I've lost Li Shuwen. However, I'm sure I'll be able to replace him within a couple of days." the man answered.
"That's the thing I never liked about you Mateus! You only saw the heroic spirits as slaves and weapons! You never cared so long as you had power!" Lucy yelled into his face as her Ark grew ever bigger and brighter.
"I don't know what you guys are talking about, but if he's messing with my friend Siegfried and everyone else inside Lucy. Then he has another thing coming!" Natsu yelled.
Mateus laughed, "Power is all that really matters in this world little sister. Look at yourself, without your own abilities, you would have never become the Holy Maiden and you along with my poor nephew would be starving on the streets begging for scraps." Mateus taunted.
"That's enough, I'm ending this!" Vincent said as he fired all three rounds in his gun.
"Bye forever stupid big brother! Thundara!" Ventus yelled.
"Ark!" Lucy yelled as all three targets destroyed the seat.
"Did we get him?" Ventus asked only to hear laughter.
When the dust cleared up, all they saw was a partially destroyed table and Mateus sitting in the air. The strange part was the fact that he started blinking in and out of existence or as if he was made of static.
"A good effort, but such feats will not affect a thought projection." Mateus said ever so arrogantly.
"Tell me where you are creep so I can kick your ass myself!" Natsu yelled as he got in front of Mateus's hologram.
"Be silent dragon slayer, I have no time to waste words with someone lowly as yourself." Mateus said.
Lucy pushed Natsu aside, "Why are you here? What's your plan?" she demanded.
"Well at first, I was only interested in reclaiming the servants and then finding the new vessel your soul transferred into." Mateus answered as he lied back in a more relaxed manner. "However it seems that plans take a lot longer than expected." he added.
"Hahaha, one who fails to plan. Plans to fail." Gilgamesh said from within.
"So long story short, I found some various interests and contacts. One of which was defeated despite the fact that I had given him a powerful Avenger class servant." Mateus continued.
"You gave Jose the Gorgon?" Lucy asked.
"Yes and surprisingly, not all the heroic spirits were willing follow you dear Stella." Mateus answered.
"And why's that? Big sis is the only one to contain the Throne of Heroes?" Ventus asked.
"You forgot foolish little brother. Not every servant is exactly a heroic spirit. Some don't exactly follow the rules of man in terms of morality." Mateus answered.
Before anyone else said anything, a projection of a pale faced man with purple hair appeared. From the looks of it, he had a similar appearance to that of a clown. Along with a smile that looked like it could give just about anyone Coulrophobia.
"Ah Mephistopheles, how nice of you to join us." Mateus said introducing the servant.
The man giggled, "Oh me oh my, I see Stella is finally here. Come to claim this fiend?" he asked as he gave a hand signal towards the background. "Or instead of me, would you like two of the big three?" he asked.
"Ok I really hate this guy." Gray said as Mephistopheles's annoying voice got on his nerves.
"I will destroy him for you when I have the chance Gray-sama!" Juvia said hoping to earn more praise.
"What are you talking about?" Lucy asked when suddenly an image two girls with long purple hair were tossed in front of them.
Both of them were tied up and gagged. Nearly everyone was horrified at the sight of what they assumed to be a couple of children. Only Lucy started to ball her fists as she was able to recognize the two girls as more heroic spirits. Even now, a certain heroic spirit was demanding Lucy to let her out.
Lucy gripped her chest as that spirit's wails grew louder, "Lucy let me out! I need to save them from that monster! My older sisters need me!" Medusa cried out. The Holy Maiden nodded as she released Medusa who's tears were leaking from her visor, "Sisters! Mateus when I get my hands you I'll devour you alive and spit you right out only to restart the cycle!" she threatened.
Mateus laughed at the threat, "I expected you to be much more composed than that Rider. Clearly it was your own family that tipt you for the edge. The same being said for your Avenger counterpart when I released her." he said shocking Medusa and Lucy.
'Of course, even if she is evil. Medusa hated humans in her Gorgon form. Mateus was blackmailing her the whole time.' Lucy thought.
'That's why... that's why I felt sorrow coming from my counterpart when I absorbed her.' Medusa said remembering how strange it felt when she fused with her counterpart.
"I think that's enough for now. I'll leave you to Jella and his plans to become god or whatever it was he spouting nonsense about. Goodbye little sister, little brother, treacherous servant, rugrats and the rest of your little mongrels." Mateus said before all the images disappeared.
"Bastard!" Medusa yelled as she removed her visor and wiped her tears.
Lucy wrapped her arms around Medusa, "Don't worry, I promise I'll reunite the the three of you." she said.
"Not without our help!" Natsu spoke up as he placed a hand on their shoulders. "We're going to fight kick Jellal's ass then we're going to beat that Mateo guy or whatever his name is!" he said as he started to get fired up.
"Hey don't leave us or Happy out of this flame brain!" Gray said as he also got excited.
"Crap I almost forgot about Happy!" Natsu yelled as he started running.
"Natsu wait! At least take Jaguar Man with you!" Lucy yelled as Natsu was already gone. "Do you think you can keep him from getting hurt?" she asked Jaguar Man.
"Sure thing Lucy!" Jaguar Man said.
"I think he might need one of these." Ventus said as she handed Jaguar Man two cards before she chased down Natsu.
"And I think its time to better explain the situation and misconception here." everyone turned to see Simon appearing.
Gray was about to attack when Juvia stopped him, "No don't Gray-sama, he isn't a threat. He casted the darkness and knew he was attacking an statue." she said.
"Wait what?" Gray asked.
"That's right, I was hoping to lure you and your friends to help stop this madness." Simon answered.
"Ok my head is going to hurt." Shirou said as he was about to hear another long story.
With Natsu
"Hey slow down!" Jaguar Man yelled as she ran right behind the fire dragon slayer.
"How about you speed up!" Natsu yelled back as they arrived at some room full of stuffed cats and other cat related decorations.
"Happy! Happy where are you?" Natsu called out.
Jaguar Man shivered at the room's decor, "And to think Lucy once called me a weirdo with a cat fetish." she said as she looked around.
"Hey look at this." Natsu said as he approached a cat mask and put it on.
"Ok that's terrifying." Jaguar Man said.
"Haha, I bet I'll terrify Erza and everyone else with this later." Natsu said before sneezing.
"Gross you can't wipe your face." Jaguar Man said with a disgusted face.
"Maybe I should take this off." Natsu said before finding out how tight the costume piece is. "Come off already you stupid mask!" he pleaded as he tried to remove it.
"Hold still, you need a god's touch." Jaguar Man said as she tried to help pull it off.
Then suddenly they heard a scream, "No! I won't let you hurt the kitty!"
"Millianna get off!" yelled another voice.
The two then avoided a gunshot and looked towards the origin of where it was shot, "Blockhead!" they yelled at the same time.
"Millianna those aren't even cats! One is a moron in a mask, the other is a dame in a cat costume!" Wally said trying to reason with his childhood friend.
"Meow?" Natsu and Jaguar Man asked which managed to trick Millianna.
"I'm putting these cats down!" Wally yelled as he broke apart and start launching parts of his body at them.
Natsu managed to use a stuffed cat as a shield while Jaguar Man knocked a few blocks out of the way with her staff before hitting Wally's head. Wally continued to fight back ignoring Millianna who was trying to restrain him.
"Jaguar Hammer!" Jaguar Man yelled as she hit Wally and Millianna, unintentionally, making them crash into the ground.
"Those guys were weak." Natsu said.
"Hey I was fighting them! What do you mean weak!?" Jaguar man yelled just as Happy popped out.
"Natsu!" Happy yelled out in happiness.
"Happy!" Natsu yelled back as he hugged his friend.
Meanwhile, with Jellal
"So Simon has betrayed me. Wally and Millianna have have also failed me. No matter, time for the next stage of our plan." Jellal said turning to a thought projection of Mateus.
"So it seems, time for you little assassins I suppose. Along with my own." Mateus said as several hooded and masked warriors appeared from the background.
"And now for you and your associates Taka." Jellal said to the raven haired man.
Taka was soon surrounded by a strange energy as he started to yell. From the looks of it, Taka was using a transformation magic that caused him to go pale and have longer hair with what appeared to be black make up around his face. So after transforming into a bad knock off of Gene Simmons, two more people appeared beside Taka. One was what appeared to be an owl with the body of a man wearing a jetpack and a pink haired woman in a kimono with very big sandals.
(A/N: Why do I sound intoxicated when I wrote that?)
"Taka, Fukuro, Ikaruga, Trinity Raven, assassins from Death's Head Caucus." Jellal said although Mateus and even the assassins were already aware of who they were... which was kind of awkward.
Mateus also looked disinterested, "Forgive me, if I don't have complete faith in your associates Jellal. Therefore, I expect results with my own personal security force. Do not abuse them or the added insurance." he said as a couple of masked servants appeared carrying Medusa's sisters.
"And who might these be?" Jellal asked.
"As I mentioned insurance, remember Jellal. You may possess magic and have your army of followers. However that is not enough to distinguish strength or authority. Especially now that my younger sister is an S class mage. She won't think twice about annahalting you? These two are your ticket to keep her from becoming irrational." Mateus explained.
Jellal rolled his eyes, he really was arrogant, just about all fresh dark mages think that way. It didn't matter, the servants were just good tools to have. So a couple of hostages wouldn't be much of an issue.
"Very well, we will speak again after the ritual." Jellal said as Mateus's projection disappeared. The blue haired mage chuckled as he disappeared, 'Fool, once lord Zeref is here. I will dispose of him and any other schemer who wishes to plot against me.' he thought as he couldn't trust all the servants around him.
"So what's the plan man?" Taka asked in his new rocker like speaking tone.
"All three of you will carry one servant. No doubt with the Holy Maiden among them, she will supply Erza and her friends with various heroic spirits to combat you. As you could tell, Wally was too arrogant and was defeated by one of them single handedly." Jellal explained as a couple of Mateus's soldiers appeared and started to work on giving command spells to the members of Trinity Raven.
"Oh my, what a lovely style." Ikaruga said as the seal was black and showed a raven's head with with one wing extended.
"Cool, so which one of these fools will be following us?" Taka asked excitedly.
That's when three servants manifested and nodded to them.
"Tell them your names." Jellal ordered.
"Artoria Pendragon." said the dark servant.
"Cu Chulainn." said the second dark servant.
"Gilles De Rais." said the final servant.
"Now that you're all acquainted. You know what to do." Jellal said as the members of Trinity Raven bowed before leaving while the other servants and their respective masters disappeared into the shadows.
In the distance, outside the Tower of Heaven
Mateus sat on his makeshift throne in his large boat outside of the tower. He was staring intently into a glass of wine as he could hear Jellal's ridiculous plan. As he could tell, the man wanted Erza as a sacrifice to resurrect the dark wizard Zeref. Pathetic, from what his contacts in Grimoire Heart told him, this plan is contradicting.
Mateus rolled his eyes as he could hear the part about the council firing the etherion cannon. Of course his idiot puppet decided to go behind his back and plot something ridiculous and extreme like that. No doubt Stella or rather, her incarnation, would scramble to stop that blue haired idiot and his wild plans.
"Your majesty, should we make haste to safety?" asked a butler.
Mateus took a moment to think about it, "Only a short distance. I wish to stay nearby for when Jellal's plans explode on his face. He still has some use after this is all over." he answered.
"Very well sir, and the other servants?" the butler asked.
"Should any survive or make it back. Put them back into storage. The alter egos can be recreated should they fail their mission." Mateus answered.
"I will notify the captain and the storage crew." the butler said before excusing himself.
Mateus then took a drink from his glass, "I played my turn, now you play yours Stella." he said to himself as he marked this as the beginning of a war for the grail.
This time, the emperor of Palamecia wouldn't let something as trivial as family keep him away from obtaining his desires.
TO BE CONTINUED...