Apologies for a short update in a long time. School is taking up all my time, so this is the best I can do for now.

Chapter 12

Lucy ran to check on the prince, trying her best to ignore the sounds of Erza and Lyon's battle behind her. Erza always hid her pain with a smile, and she knew that a missing wing would be no joke.

Still, she changed into Scorpio's Star Dress and swiftly moved through Scorpio's sand (or dirt) storm, attacking a soldier. Gemini did their best to protect the unconscious Natsu from all the dirt flying everywhere.

"Well, what's this? The Golden Knight has some new threads?"

Shocked to hear that voice, Lucy turned around and met Princess Ultear's piercing gaze. She was smirking, her blood red lips sending chills down her spine. She could feel her power from here.

"I see my brother is occupied. Brother dear, you're too slow. I would've been rid of that dryad already."

"P-princess!" The Hearts soldiers bowed as she entered the space, and they momentarily stopped fighting. Even in her own soldiers, Lucy saw fear flash in their eyes.

"Don't bow to me, seize them!"

The soldiers swarmed Scorpio, holding him back by his tail. Lucy forced his gate closed, not wanting her spirit to suffer. Gemini, in the form of herself, was captured too. They went back on their own, leaving the prince vulnerable. She had no choice, and Lucy surrendered.

"Good. I like this efficiency. I'm sure my mother will praise you all." Ultear said sarcastically. Lucy was thrown to the ground roughly next to Natsu, and their hands were tied.

"I have many questions for you… Lucy." Ultear scowled as she said it, like the name left a bad taste in her mouth.

As the princess towered before her, Lucy took her in fully. She seemed taller than her Earthland counterpart, or maybe that was just her aura. Rather than a princess gown, she was dressed for battle. Similar to her arrogant brother in winter gear, she wore a warm winter outfit, gloves, and cape. She had ribbons in her hair, but Lucy found it to be more creepy than cute. Her Earthland counterpart became kind, but the princess was more like when they first met and stood apart as enemies.

Ultear continued to stare at her, probably waiting for a response. Well, Lucy refused to give one to her. Her lips were sealed unless she had some kind of truth-telling magic.

She pursed her lips. "I've got him now… but where is she?"

Don't tell her… she figured them out? Lucy's shock must've been apparent on her face because Ultear laughed. "Oh, come on. As if I was going to fall for that. I know you're not her."

"How?" She spoke, unable to stop herself.

Raising an eyebrow she teased, "But wow, you even sound like her! Of course I had informants in the Diamond palace. I'm not some sort of amateur."

Lucy's mind flashed back to the weirdly creepy guard Natsu and her had watching over them the day they arrived. He had watched them really closely, and even mentioned how much they looked like their counterparts. He might've even eavesdropped as they planned the switch down there in the jail. It makes sense that he was a traitor.

"I don't know where she is now." It wasn't a lie. She assumed that she was with Natsu of course, and on their way to the throne room. Maybe in a fight. But she had no way of knowing where.

"If you don't want to talk, that's fine. I'll just take you in her place. That's what you were planning, right?"

"Take me where?" She panicked. This was not meant to happen. She wasn't planning on running into Ultear, supposedly the strongest sibling, and she definitely didn't want to get herself and mostly the prince captured.

"My mother entrusted me with the task of taking care of Lucy Heart and Natsu Diamond. Don't worry. I'll take good care of you, like Mother asked."

Bound by her wrists and ankles and running out of magic, Lucy had no choice.

Natsu punched a soldier in the face and roared as he avoided another's sword. Thanks to a boost from his flames, he kicked the sword away and smashed the two soldier's heads together. Their metal helmets vibrated as they collapsed.

On their way to the throne room, the knight Lucy and he had a moment to chat about their counterparts. He briefly talked about Lucy and her celestial magic, which he thought was really cool.

"What kind of magic does your Natsu use?"

"Ice, like King Igneel."

Natsu scrunched his nose. He remembered how on Edolas everyone was like opposites, so he didn't say anything. Lucy Heart looked melancholy, and hesitated before she spoke again.

"He's very passionate about his training, always pushing himself past his limits. But he'll never be able to…" She struggled to find the right words and sighed. "He will never be as strong as he wishes to be."

"Why not?"

"Unfortunately, Prince Natsu was born with a rare disorder called Magic Deficiency Disease." Natsu's eyebrows shot up.

"It's just as it sounds. His magic is extremely limited, and even though he can train to push those limits, once he gets past a certain point he'll pass out. His magic also takes a long time to regenerate."

He scoffed. "So?"

"What do you mean, 'so?'"

Natsu was a firm believer that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and have the support of your friends. Even though the Prince was another world's version of him, it was still him and he knew that if he trained hard enough he'd become stronger, no matter how long it took.

"It sounds like you don't believe in him."

Lucy looked offended. "What? I do! It's just too dangerous. He could die if he trains too hard."

"Just don't let him get to that point. Trust him. If he wants to become stronger, then he'll do it." He said simply.

"I…" Lost in thought, Lucy trailed off. Natsu remembered a time in which he felt like this about Lucy. Of course, she didn't have a deficiency problem, but it was around the time they first met when she admitted that she wanted to get stronger because she felt so far behind from everyone else on their team. He understood that desire, but there's a certain point where a mage just can't go farther and have to wait until they build up more experience. Lucy was frustrated back then. He smiled as he thought about how much stronger she's gotten since then.

"Okay." Lucy said finally. "I'll stop being so overbearing."

He nodded. They were getting close to the central courtyard which led right up to the throne room public entrance. There were soldiers who had set up camp, with tents and weapons. A mass of soldiers from the makeshift camp ahead of them were fighting with a woman who was protecting a group of children, trembling as they hid behind her.

She had brown hair and was clearly a mage, using card magic… It was Cana!

"Cana!" He called out. She turned, surprised to see him but nodded in acknowledgement. She held up a card and summoned a rider on a horse, six wands surrounding him. The wands built up an attack and unleashed a massive ball of energy as the horse charged into the soldiers, knocking them over. Natsu whooped, but there was no time to celebrate as backup arrived.

Without a word, he and Lucy joined the fray. Lucy pulled out her sword, looking like a true knight in (literally) shining armor. The golden armor made a significant difference, as she seemed to even move swifter and her blows were more powerful. Metal clanged against metal as she battled several Hearts soldiers at a time.

Natsu himself roared fire at the soldiers swarming Cana, carefully avoiding the children. They looked at the hot flames in fear, but when they realized he was on their side the kids cheered them on.

The horseman had disappeared, and in his place was three women raising three cups, or chalices rather, to the sky. Water gushed out of the cups, washing away some of the soldiers who were left sputtering and coughing on the ground. He took this chance to charge forward with a fiery fist and punch their lights out.

"Why are you here Cana?" He yelled over the sounds of fighting.

"I had to protect these kids. And for you and Lady Lucy."

"You knew we were gonna be here?"

"Of course." She smirked. He glanced at her third eye, and remembered what Cana Alberona's magic translated into on Wonderland - divination. Her cards manifested themselves differently here, almost like summoning celestial spirits and not just objects or elements.

"It's very important you get to the throne room as soon as possible, or my vision won't come true."

"Has that ever happened?"

She grit her teeth. "Not yet. And it won't. Ur needs to be defeated, no matter the cost. Let's finish up here."

As she said it, more backup arrived. It was like the soldiers were never ending. Natsu looked back at Lucy, who was tiring. She wasn't using her magic, instead relying on her sword and enhanced strength from the armor. She was glowing even with the white of the snow and he was forced to look away.

"Come at me you bastards!"

Three soldiers charged him at once, their swords glinting in the sunlight. He ignited his head, meeting them halfway and headbutting the middle one in his chest. The soldier fell the ground, and he ducked and dodged the swings of the other two.

He set his legs ablaze and kicked one to the ground, but one of their allies snuck up behind him and held him in a headlock. He clawed at the soldier's arms as he started choking, but the metal armor protected the man from any significant damage.

"We've got you now." The man boasted.

"Are-ack- you sure?" He leaned forward and threw his head back as hard as he could, hitting the man in the nose. He loosened his grip as his nose began to bleed and Natsu punched him again for good measure.

Still, the others he defeated were regaining their stamina, and they charged at him once more. A sword clattered to his left, and he saw Lucy glaring at the large man who had forced her sword with his own. She dodged his attacks and her eyes shifted nervously.

He sidestepped and then roared fire at his attackers. Cana was busy shifting through her cards.

"Cana! What are you doing?"

She ignored him, muttering to herself. "The Star- no, not that one. Ah, I've got it."

She held a card that was different than the others. Even from where he was standing he could feel the magic coming off of it in waves. Cana closed her eyes and opened her third as she became locked in a chant. Some of the fighting around them slowed as they watched her cast the spell.

A glow emanated from the card, growing until it encompassed his entire view and he shut his eyes. Wind blew, and when he opened his eyes again, there was a giant before them.

A stoic woman in a white dress with a crown of flowers towered over them, standing fifteen feet tall. She had a fierce lion at her side, just as large as she was. The beast was calm, but the woman gently placed her hand on his head and he roared.

The Hearts soldiers were terrified, but readied their weapons anyways. Some of them from farther away had taken up the bow, shooting at the giant magical figures. But the arrows passed through, like the figures were non corporeal and made of light. The beast pounced at the soldiers, whose swords uselessly jabbed at the beast. In an instant, the giant woman and her lion defeated the remaining men and disappeared.

Cana who was stuck in a trance the whole time fell to her knees, sweating even though it was cold. He and Lucy rushed over to her.

"Are you okay? What was that?"

"I'll be okay. That was one of the major arcana. Strength. Now, you two must get to the throne room. Lucy,"

"Yes?"

"You cannot do it alone. You must combine your celestial powers in order to do what needs to be done. Do you understand?"

Lucy tilted her head. "Somewhat?"

"When the moment comes, you'll understand. Now go."

Cana fell asleep, and Natsu and Lucy moved on.